Significant And Early Princeton Style 4-Attachment Head Harness c. 1897 - 1900

 

The Princeton Head Harness, a helmet type commonly produced by major sporting goods manufacturers between 1912 and 1929, is reconsidered with this unique example, which may date back as early as 1897—over a decade earlier than one would previously have assumed. Initially, our research suggested the helmet was manufactured around 1900. However, after further handling and extensive investigation, we now believe it could date to as early as 1897. It is the earliest known example of the 4-attachment Princeton style helmet and one of the earliest models of any known football harness.

 

This helmet challenges the conventional timeline of helmet evolution. Well-worn and featuring numerous period repairs, it exemplifies early helmet construction. The use of lightweight, thin, flexible leather, along with a well-ventilated design—featuring punched holes in the ear pieces and across the body—demonstrates both functional and innovative craftsmanship. The padding consists of a hair-stuffed crown and fine fiber or straw-stuffed ear pieces. Though the manufacturer remains unknown, the very early construction materials, techniques and craftsmanship is comparable to early designs like the Spalding No. 15 or 25 from 1894 (designed primarily for the protection of one or both ears) (1894 appears to be the first year in the introduction of the head harness, in this case as ear protection) (see note 1 at the end of the post).

 

Similar to the Spalding No. 15 or 25, this head harness includes punched ventilation holes in the ear pieces and forehead straps; although a 3 inch section of leather has been replaced at the forehead—likely due to damage from years of use. This design may represent an intermediate in harness evolution, potentially bridging gaps between the Spalding No. 25 and subsequent models.

It’s also possible that this helmet corresponds to the Spalding No. 40 Chicago Style Harness, advertised in 1897, though no illustrations of that model exist. 

 

It is plausible that this helmet was an earlier influence to H.B. Conibear's 1901 design of the Chicago head harness. Both designs feature a “floating” crown piece and four points of attachment or strapping, allowing for maximizing ventilation. Given these shared innovations, it seems unlikely that these helmets were conceived of independently. 

There are a handful of early previously unknown head harnesses that have come to light, such as this Princeton style helmet, that are actual physical examples. Other examples from these first years of head harness development may only appear in period photographs, advertisements or articles. In these photographs, the harness style is often difficult to determine. This leaves us with questions relative to their development, their date of manufacture, and their manufacturer.

 In our research, for those interested in football helmet history, we found reference to another 1894 head harness that may describe the earliest version of a four strap spoke helmet. Possibly an early example of a Larwood model head harness. In this instance, this early harness is for both ear and head protection. The 1894 description reads as follows: “The elaborate headgear is made of light watch spring steel, leather straps with lamb’s wool facings and vulcanized rubber. A wide band of leather, with the lamb skin next to the flesh, passes across the forehead to the rear of the head. A center strap, similarly constructed, passes back over the head. From the encircling band are wide, padded straps, which encompass the ears in horseshoe shape and extend well forward to the cheeks. The rubber nose mask, a stiff affair, extending over the mouth and to the chin, is attached to the forehead strap and the cheek pieces. The whole harness is held securely in place by elastic bands under the chin and at the back of the head and neck by elastic bands and buckles.” (See note 2 at the end of the post).

A circa 1904 cabinet card (above), though we only retain a screenshot, provides a definitive photo match in at least three areas with this exact helmet. Additionally, an article published in L’Amérique Moderne by Jules Huret, combining two earlier works from 1904 and 1905 (see note 3 at the end of the post), includes a photograph (below) that appears to depict the same model helmet. If taken during Huret’s attendance at the 1901 Harvard-Yale football game, this could be photographic evidence of a player from either team wearing this specific helmet design. This further supports the theory of its use around the turn of the century.

Original Caption – “A Football Player – Football as played in the United States is an extremely brutal game that requires players to protect their heads, mouths and noses with a helmet made of boiled leather.”

Letters inscribed inside the helmet on the crown pad, though partially obscured and difficult to discern (much more visible when wetted), offer further intrigue. Our best interpretation of these letters suggests acronyms such as KBC/KBO/RBO and PAW/PMW - their significance remains an interesting part of the puzzle.

As the only known surviving example, this early "missing link" head harness represents a crucial piece of football equipment history. 

Note 1 – We have over a half dozen advertisements and articles showing that the Spalding 15 and 25 were being manufactured, sold and used in play in 1894. Two illustrations, both from October, 1894 are shown. 

Note 2 – Illustration from October, 1894 of the described head harness

Note 3 -  L’Amerique Moderne  by Jules Huret , an illustrated edition that combined two earlier publications by the same author, En Amerique - De New York a la New Orleans, 1904, and En Amerique - De San Fransisco au Canada, 1905.