49ers


1960 Joe "The Jet" Perry
(Authentic Reproduction)
 

 

The Pro Football Hall of Fame proudly displays under glass the helmet worn by Joe "The Jet" Perry when he returned to the Forty Niners in 1963 after his two year stint with the Colts. The Forty Niners fortunately did not throw away the rare 1950s style "arched" tubular one bar face mask Joe wore prior to his being traded to the Colts in 1961 and Joe was more than happy to reuse it during his final season in 1963. 

The Riddell "arched" tubular one bar face mask was introduced by Riddell shortly after they introduced the conventional "B-1" tubular face mask in the mid 1950s. The "arch" was designed to provide additional protection to the nose and mouth area. Riddell soon thereafter introduced the two bar "BD-9" and it virtually rendered the "arched" one bar variety obsolete. Only a few pro players were willing to experiment with the odd looking "arched" face mask style during the brief period it was available. Eddie La Baron wore the "arch" briefly with the Redskins before switching to the conventional "B-1" one bar which he wore until retirement. Ironically Alvin Wyatt of the Buffalo Bills wore the "arch" throughout the 1960s.

Helmet Hut has recreated an exact reproduction of Joe "The Jet" Perry's late 1950s Forty Niner helmet complete with an authentic "arch" face mask. The helmet features the tasteful three red striped pattern set against the silver hued shell. Now you have a choice -- you can go to Canton and look through the glass or just visit your friendly Helmet Hut website to experience this rare helmet worn by one of footballs all time greats.