Old Helmet Question

[Till]

So this weekend I found myself inheriting what appears to be an old game-used Bison helmet. I'm trying to identify if it's legit or not and if so, who wore it. If anyone does it's the font of crowdsourced knowledge that is Bisonville. As you can see from the pictures it has the snorty logo, so it must be older than 1999. It's a little dinged up and the green stripes are missing, but it seems old and has the pads from a functional helmet.

1765
1767

There's a small Bison-esque logo on the front as well
1766

I looked around inside and there are is some writing that may be 4189 or 4/89.
1768

There's also an inspection sticker inside that says 1991, so I'm thinking it's gotta be from around that time.
1772

I've been looking for old rosters online, but haven't been able to find anything on #44. Any info you have is appreciated.

[aces1180]

So this weekend I found myself inheriting what appears to be an old game-used Bison helmet. I'm trying to identify if it's legit or not and if so, who wore it. If anyone does it's the font of crowdsourced knowledge that is Bisonville. As you can see from the pictures it has the snorty logo, so it must be older than 1999. It's a little dinged up and the green stripes are missing, but it seems old and has the pads from a functional helmet.

1765
1767

There's a small Bison-esque logo on the front as well
1766

I looked around inside and there are is some writing that may be 4189 or 4/89.
1768

There's also an inspection sticker inside that says 1991, so I'm thinking it's gotta be from around that time.
1772

I've been looking for old rosters online, but haven't been able to find anything on #44. Any info you have is appreciated.

Nice get!! You could maybe call someone at NDSU to help you figure it out.

[Trim]

Damon Larson maybe? I think he was 44. I also think his first year was 92

[Bison bison]

So this weekend I found myself inheriting what appears to be an old game-used Bison helmet. I'm trying to identify if it's legit or not and if so, who wore it....


This is an obvious forgery. Please PM and I'll return it to the proper authorities.


Also, it's haunted. Kind of like a monkey's paw.

[Jim Puetz]

I'm guessing it was worn by a linebacker. I'll throw out these names as possible wearers of the helmet: Marc Eidem, Todd Lacey, Chris Broome.

[tony]

Paul Schaffner?

[Till]

Thanks for the info everyone. I may have a contact at the university archives, so we'll see what they can find as well. If I find anything definite I'll be sure to let you know. Otherwise keep the information coming. Who knows, maybe it was worn in 1990 so it has some of that championship blood.

[CaBisonFan]

I'm guessing it was worn by a linebacker. I'll throw out these names as possible wearers of the helmet: Marc Eidem, Todd Lacey, Chris Broome.

Here's a video from 1986 showing a linebacker with #44. I'm having trouble getting the name from the broadcast.

Charlie Stock is #41 I believe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVy1dFeaBV8

(http://www.youtube.com/user/NorthDakotaStBison1?feature=mhee)I'm looking for something from 1989 or 1991...will get back to you.

[TransAmBison]

Good for you! Should be a nice thing to display.

[Trim]

So... how did you "inherit" this?

[roadwarrior]

#44

1988 - Brian Magruder
1989 - Brian Magruder
1990 - nobody
1991 - Paul Schaffner
1992 - Paul Schaffner
1993 - Damon Larson

[Till]

It's sort of a convoluted story. My fiancee's brothers buddy owns an auto shop in Bismarck and they do some repo work for some of the dealerships. Some of the cars they return to the dealerships and some they are allowed to buy, fix up and sell. This came from one they bought. My fiancee's brother thought of me when they saw this helmet and offered to give it to me.

[Bison03]

#44

1988 - Brian Magruder
1989 - Brian Magruder
1990 - nobody
1991 - Paul Schaffner
1992 - Paul Schaffner
1993 - Damon Larson

To bad. Would have had a helmet worn in the championship game most likely.

[CaBisonFan]

Paul Schaffner would be the logical choice based on what roadwarrior wrote...and some of the vids that I have.

[TheBisonator]

Check some of the old vids and compare the face mask designs. If the face mask worn by a former #44 in a video matches the one in real life, chances are that that's the helmet.

[CaBisonFan]

Check some of the old vids and compare the face mask designs. If the face mask worn by a former #44 in a video matches the one in real life, chances are that that's the helmet.

Good point.

I watched a video of the Bison-Sioux game in 1991 and the face mask matches Paul Schaffner's.

[kman]

The numbers on the back of the helmet are too small to be from 1986 to 1990.......

[CaBisonFan]

1775 1774 Here's Paul Schaffner from the 1991 Bison-Sioux game.

1776 1773

[IzzyFlexion]

Here's a video from 1986 showing a linebacker with #44. I'm having trouble getting the name from the broadcast.

Charlie Stock is #41 I believe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVy1dFeaBV8

(http://www.youtube.com/user/NorthDakotaStBison1?feature=mhee)I'm looking for something from 1989 or 1991...will get back to you.

I believe that Scott Schutt's senior year was '86.
That particular Bison #44 was the most bow-legged dude I ever saw. But he was fast and hit hard. His brother, Mike, played b-ball for Erv during the same years.
Both were/are excellent fellas. Fun lovin' good guys.
Anyway, that's my guess.

[CaBisonFan]

I believe that Scott Schutt's senior year was '86.
That particular Bison #44 was the most bow-legged dude I ever saw. But he was fast and hit hard. His brother, Mike, played b-ball for Erv during the same years.
Both were/are excellent fellas. Fun lovin' good guys.
Anyway, that's my guess.

...thanks izzy...

[Till]

Leave it to you guys to go out there and dig this stuff up. Thanks for the info. I did some looking on Paul and it looks like he's tied for the Bison single game assisted tackles record with 21 against USD in 1989. He went on to coach at Jamestown and University of Mary before becoming Rocky's DC at Northeastern the year we played them.

[Wacker_in_the_Hall]

The sticker shown in Photo 00294 was worn by Bison Captains in the late 70's and early 80's. That should give you a clue

[TransAmBison]

CAS was the equipment manager around that time...he might be able to help you out. One of the linebackers from that era even gave CAS his helmet and jersey. (AG said he only takes them off when they...well, you know)

[KSBisonFan]

CAS was the equipment manager around that time...he might be able to help you out. One of the linebackers from that era even gave CAS his helmet and jersey. (AG said he only takes them off when they...well, you know)

I coulda swore AG commented somewhere that he preferred them on......Also, something about striped tube socks pulled up really high......not those new-fangled ankle socks.


Great find, BTW

[CaBisonFan]

The sticker shown in Photo 00294 was worn by Bison Captains in the late 70's and early 80's. That should give you a clue

I was thinking along the same lines. The helmet reminds me of the late 70s...but the face mask does look a lot like Paul Schaffner's.

[TheBisonator]

CAS was the equipment manager around that time...he might be able to help you out. One of the linebackers from that era even gave CAS his helmet and jersey. (AG said he only takes them off when they...well, you know)

I thought CAS played... Were you joking??

I was an equipment assistant, as some of you may know. (2003-2005)

[TransAmBison]

I thought CAS played... Were you joking??

I was an equipment assistant, as some of you may know. (2003-2005)Fish in a barrel...fish in a barrel. :rofl: :rofl:

[Till]

I was thinking along the same lines. The helmet reminds me of the late 70s...but the face mask does look a lot like Paul Schaffner's.

Well, I suppose we'd need to know the lifespan of one of these helmets. Maybe it was first used in the late 70s and went through some sort of recertification in 1991. Maybe one of you equipment managers/assistants could shed some light on this.

[Answer Guy]

I thought CAS played... Were you joking??

CAS played a lot. But he never wore a helmet.



That's the impression I get.

[gotts]

CAS played a lot. But he never wore a helmet.



That's the impression I get.

The impression on his forehead would agree with you.

[CaBisonFan]

I thought CAS played... Were you joking??

I was an equipment assistant, as some of you may know. (2003-2005)

CAS played on a couple of 'good' teams...but Gus Bradley was the leader.

[td577]

I think the only solution to this problem is DNA testing of everyone who might have worn #44 during the past 5 decades. While there should be plenty of DNA on the helmet, you will only need one hair follicle to match up. I suggest you do this at first sunlight. That is when people are usually in their deepest sleep. The tactical part of obtaining a hair follicle is up to you, but I should throw out the disclaimer that I am not specifically guiding you towards breaking any laws. So if you end up in the hospital, in jail, or in both; it is on you. If any of the past #44s are now bald, it is completely up to you how you get their DNA.

[CaBisonFan]

I think the only solution to this problem is DNA testing of everyone who might have worn #44 during the past 5 decades. While there should be plenty of DNA on the helmet, you will only need one hair follicle to match up. I suggest you do this at first sunlight. That is when people are usually in their deepest sleep. The tactical part of obtaining a hair follicle is up to you, but I should throw out the disclaimer that I am not specifically guiding you towards breaking any laws. So if you end up in the hospital, in jail, or in both; it is on you. If any of the past #44s are now bald, it is completely up to you how you get their DNA.

So...you're offering to help?

[SDbison]

I heard somewhere that polishing your helmet produces DNA..........

[IzzyFlexion]

I heard somewhere that polishing your helmet produces DNA..........

Boom-shaka-laka!

[SamsRams]

If anyone wants a helmet for themselves http://novascotia.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-sporting-goods-exercise-football-North-Dakota-State-University-Football-Helmet-W0QQAdIdZ370374872

[sambini]

I'm guessing it was worn by a linebacker. I'll throw out these names as possible wearers of the helmet: Marc Eidem, Todd Lacey, Chris Broome. Eidem wore 41 Lecy wore 44 both played on 81 team. Broome wore 53 played 83 team.

[sambini]

I believe that Scott Schutt's senior year was '86.
That particular Bison #44 was the most bow-legged dude I ever saw. But he was fast and hit hard. His brother, Mike, played b-ball for Erv during the same years.
Both were/are excellent fellas. Fun lovin' good guys.
Anyway, that's my guess. Your right that was Scott Schutt in 86.

[sambini]

Must be Schaffs helmet.

[WYOBISONMAN]

I heard somewhere that polishing your helmet produces DNA..........

Football season is a long ways away........but don't do stuff that makes you go blind! This upcoming season is gonna be geat and you want to see all of it!

[Weezer]

Paul Schaffner played 5 years at NDSU from 1988-1992. He was a part of two championship teams in 1988 and 1990. He wore the #87 from 1988-1990, and then switched to #44 from 1991-1992. He started or rotated in with other linebackers much of his career. He had a knee injury during one year of his career, but can't remember which year it was. If you watch the beginning of the 1990 Championship highlight tape, he has two "huge" hits in the opening game against IUP that made the highlight tape. He was #87 in that game. He was a great player at NDSU.

[CaBisonFan]

Paul Schaffner played 5 years at NDSU from 1988-1992. He was a part of two championship teams in 1988 and 1990. He wore the #87 from 1988-1990, and then switched to #44 from 1991-1992. He started or rotated in with other linebackers much of his career. He had a knee injury during one year of his career, but can't remember which year it was. If you watch the beginning of the 1990 Championship highlight tape, he has two "huge" hits in the opening game against IUP that made the highlight tape. He was #87 in that game. He was a great player at NDSU.

...thanks Weezer...

[moosbah]

Paul Schaffner?

He doesn't look like much of a ballplayer.
1826

[EndZoneQB]

He doesn't look like much of a ballplayer.
1826

That set him off like a....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv0_7IUM9dI

[Hammerhead]

You can always quit when you need glasses. (That's an old joke from Boyd Christensen.)


Football season is a long ways away........but don't do stuff that makes you go blind! This upcoming season is gonna be geat and you want to see all of it!

Originally Posted by SDbison
I heard somewhere that polishing your helmet produces DNA..........