Colts

Disputed Team Lineage

The history of the Colts before 1953 is disputed and a matter of debate. More information at the end of this website.

1953-56: Before the Horseshoe

The first year for the team known today as the Colts was 1953. The team wore three helmet styles in 1953:

1. White, with blue cross-stripe
2. White, with blue stripe. This was worn again in 1954.
3. Plain blue

The 1954-55 blue helmet with the white horseshoes on the back is available in the Throwback Series 1 and Throwback 2-bar sets. The 1954-55 helmet was worn as a throwback in 2010.

In 1956, the blue helmet above was switched to white with a grey facemask. The horseshoes were also blue. Riddell did not manufacture a helmet in this style. The Colts wore the white 1956 helmet as a throwback in 2004.

1957-present: Colts White Helmet

The standard Colts helmet with the blue horseshoe and blue stripe started in 1957. The only things that have changed have been slight alterations to the color of the blue horseshoe and the facemask color.

There is conflicting information about changes to the blue. Bills Sports Map has a graphic with three blues (image below). Hooked on Helmets doesn’t mention a change in the blue until 1995 when the Colts “lightened” up the blue. Getty Images has some great photos, but it can be difficult to compare subtle changes in blue in photographs. The

I went through th eGridiron Uniform Database Colts page and noted the following changes:

• 1957-80: Royal blue
• 1981-87: Royal blue, slightly thicker horseshoe
• 1988: Lighter royal blue, still slightly thicker horseshoe
• 1989-94: Darker royal blue, more narrow horsehoe (less rounded)
• 1995-2003: Lighter royal blue, narrow horseshoe
• 2004-11: Darker royal blue, narrower horseshoe
• 2012-19: Lighter royal blue horseshoe. I don’t think this is accurate as the Colts switched to speed blue (a darker shade) in 2004
• 2020-present: Speed blue, more rounded horseshoe

With all the conflicing information and various shades of blue, I am going to do a meta analysis and go with the general consensus, knowing that 1) some details may be missed and 2) it may be impossible to get an exact, definitive answer. I will use the list below and update the photos on a later date.

• 1957-77: Royal blue horseshoe, grey facemask
• 1978-94: Dark royal blue horseshoe, white facemask
• 1995-2003: Bright royal blue horseshoe, blue facemask
• 2004-19: Speed blue horseshoe, grey facemask
• 2020-present: Dark speed blue horseshoe, grey facemask

1978-94

The 1957-77 style helmet has a grey facemask and is in the Throwback Series 2 and Throwback NFC 1969 2-bar sets. This Colts helmet has a “69” on the back. The horseshoe is royal blue.

1978-94

In 1978, the Colts switched to a white facemask. Some. Riddell has not manufactured a pocket pro for this helmet. The photo below is a custom.

1995-2003

This helmet is the same as previous versions, except for the blue facemask. It is in the original pocket pro sets.

2004-19

In 2004, the Colts switched to a grey facemask and a darker speed blue color. This helmet is in the revolution and speed sets.

2020-present

In 2020, the Colts updated the helmet to a wider speed blue horseshoe logo. The grey facemask was retained. This is available as a Speed helmet. However, the 2020 helmet does not reflect this change.

Super Bowl Helmets

Custom Colts Pocket Helmets

Pocket Helmet Checklist

Lastupdate: 6/26/26

Years	Color	Facemask	Logo	Stripe	Pocket helmet
1953	White	Leather	None	Blue cross stripe	None
1953	White	Leather	None	None	None
1953	Blue	Leather	None	None	None
1954	White	Lucite	None	Blue	None
1954	Dark blue	Lucite	None	White	None
1954 (pre-season)	Dark blue	Lucite	None	White	None
1955 2010 throwback	Dark blue	Grey	White horseshoes on back of helmet	White	Throwback Series 1 Throwback 2-bar
1956-57 2004, 2021-23 throwback	White	Grey	Royal blue horseshoes on back	Royal blue stripe	None
1957-77	White	Grey	Royal blue horseshoe	Royal blue stripe	Throwback Series 2 Throwback NFC 1969 2-bar
1978-94	White	White	Dark royal blue horseshoe	Dark royal blue	None
1995-2003	White	Bright royal blue	Bright royal blue horseshoe	Bright royal blue stripe	Traditional Chrome
2004-19	White	Grey	Speed blue horseshoe	Speed blue stripe	Traditional Chrome Revolution Speed
2020-present	White	Grey	Speed blue horseshoe slightly narrowed on top (not reflected in the pocket helmet)	Speed blue stripe	Speed
2023-present alternate	Black	Black	Blue horseshoe with white outline	Blue stripe	Speed – limited edition series

Super Bowl:

• Colts Super Bowl 5 (2-bar style)
• Colts Super Bowl 5 Chrome
• Colts Super Bowl 41

Disputed Team Lineage

The history of the Colts before 1953 is disputed and a matter of debate. More information at the end of this website.

1. 1913-14: Dayton St. Mary’s Cadets – Founded.
2. 1915: Dayton Gym Cadets – Name change.
3. 1916-29: Dayton Triangles – Joined NFL in 1920.
4. 1930-43: Brooklyn Dodgers – The Triangles were failing. The team was purchased by a new owner, merged with the Orange Tornados, and moved to Brooklyn.
5. 1944: Brooklyn Tigers – Name change.
6. 1945-48: Boston Yanks – The Brooklyn team merges with the Boston Yanks.
7. 1949: New York Bulldogs – The team moves to New York. In order to take advantage of a tax write-off, the team owner asked and was granted designation as a new franchise, even though most of the assets and ownership were the same.
8. 1950-51: New York Yanks – Name change.
9. 1952: Dallas Texans – A group of Dallas business owners purchase the assets and player contracts, and move the team to Dallas.

After 1952, the Dallas Texans folded and Baltimore was awarded an expansion team. An ownership group purchased the assets and player contracts of the Texans. Regardless, neither the NFL nor the Colts recognize the lineage going back to the Triangles. Interestingly, the Colts’ colors are the same as the original Triangles (the first team) and the Dallas Texans (the last team).

Pre-1949 helmets were leather will not be included here, but are included in the checklist at the end of this site.

1950-52: NY Yanks / Dallas Texans

• 1950 (New York Yanks) – Columbia blue helmet with a white stripe
• 1951 (New York Yanks) – Dark blue helmet with white stripe and tapered silver stripe
• 1952 (Dallas Texans) – Dark blue helmet with white stripe and tapered silver stripe

Other Indianapolis Colts Helmets
These pocket pro helmets were not officially made by Riddell. They only exist as custom helmets.

• 1913-14: Dayton St. Mary’s Cadets
• 1915: Dayton Gym Cadets
• 1916-1919: Dayton Triangles
• 1920-23: Dayton Triangles – Leather six strap, brown
• 1924, 26-29: Dayton Triangles – Leather six strap, white/blue
• 1925: Dayton Triangles – Leather six strap, dark blue
• 1929: Dayton Triangles – Leather six strap, white
• 1930-31: Brooklyn Dodgers – Leather six strap, tan
• 1932-33: Brooklyn Dodgers – Leather front shield two strap, tan/red
• 1934: Brooklyn Dodgers – Leather front shield, light tan
• 1934: Brooklyn Dodgers – Leather front shied, green
• 1935: Brooklyn Dodgers – Leather six strap, white
• 1936-37: Brooklyn Dodgers – Leather front shied two strap, light silver
• 1938-39: Brooklyn Dodgers – Leather wing front, white
• 1940: Brooklyn Dodgers – Leather six strap, white
• 1940-44: Brooklyn Dodgers – Leather six strap, white with red straps
• 1940-44: Brooklyn Dodgers – Leather four strap, white with red straps
• 1940-44: Brooklyn Dodgers – Leather wing front, red straps
• 1944: Brooklyn Tigers – Leather six strap, orange with blue straps
• 1945: Boston Yanks – Leather front shield, light tan
• 1946: Boston Yanks – Leather front shield, gold
• 1947-48: Boston Yanks – Leather front shield, tan
• 1949: New York Bulldogs – Standard leather, silver, columbia blue stripe
• 1950: New York Yanks – Columbia blue helmet, white stripe, leather facemask
• 1951: New York Yanks – Dark blue helmet, tapered blue/white stripe, leather facemask
• 1952: Dallas Texans – Dark blue helmet, tapered blue/white stripe, leather facemask

Sources

• Bill’s Sports Map – AFC South
• Gridiron Uniform Database
• Helmet History.com, Indianapolis Colts
• Indianapolis Colts, History of the Colts helmet