Vintage Circa 1915 Wright & Ditson No. H Harvard - Style Leather Football Helmet
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:395775 | Brand: Wright & Ditson |
| Modified Item: No | Custom Bundle: No |
| Country/Region of Manufacture: United States | Country of Manufacture: United States |
Antique 1915 Wright & Ditson Harvard-Style Leather Football Helmet. First generation Harvard-style head harness manufactured between 1915 and 1918 (see attached 1915 catalog image).
The No. H, designed as a lightweight alternative to more substantial helmets introduced in the 1910's, sold for $3.00 in 1915 and included several novel features. The crown of the helmet contained a special "sprung" rubber padding sandwiched between the leather inner and outer shells. An...other unusual feature was that the No. H was sold without factory cut ear holes. Wright & Ditson suggested that the ear holes could be custom cut by the owner to "the exact size wanted." This example's ear holes are somewhat roughly cut, suggesting that the original owner cut the holes after purchase.
The exterior leather is soft and supple with minor creasing and cracking. The interior leather shell exhibits more significant spalling and tears and the chinstrap is missing. The helmet is a small adult/large youth size. The Harvard head harness is a relatively rare style with only a handful of examples coming to market over the past 10 years.
http://www.antiquefootball.com/aom/aom_mar19.htm
Please contact me with any questions.
Shipped with USPS Priority Mail.
The No. H, designed as a lightweight alternative to more substantial helmets introduced in the 1910's, sold for $3.00 in 1915 and included several novel features. The crown of the helmet contained a special "sprung" rubber padding sandwiched between the leather inner and outer shells. An...other unusual feature was that the No. H was sold without factory cut ear holes. Wright & Ditson suggested that the ear holes could be custom cut by the owner to "the exact size wanted." This example's ear holes are somewhat roughly cut, suggesting that the original owner cut the holes after purchase.
The exterior leather is soft and supple with minor creasing and cracking. The interior leather shell exhibits more significant spalling and tears and the chinstrap is missing. The helmet is a small adult/large youth size. The Harvard head harness is a relatively rare style with only a handful of examples coming to market over the past 10 years.
http://www.antiquefootball.com/aom/aom_mar19.htm
Please contact me with any questions.
Shipped with USPS Priority Mail.
