Patriots

Row 1: 1960 (pre-season), 1960 (pre-season), 1960
Row 2: 1961-3 (alternate, Drunk Pat), 1961-3
Row 3: 1964-81 (grey FM), 1982-90 (white FM), 1991-92 (red FM)
Row 3: 1993, 1994-99
Row 4: 2000-present

1960: Revolution Hat Era

The 1960 Patriots helmet logo was a revolutionary war hat. The pocket pro displays the pre-season helmet only. The regular season helmet had player number decals under the revolutionary war hat. The pocket pros, however, do not.

The pre-season style is in the Throwback Series 1 and Throwback 2-bar sets. The helmet with the numbers is a custom helmet.

Helmet images from Gridiron Uniform Database

1961-1992: Classic Patriot Pat Era

There were 4 different helmets worn between 1961 and 1992.

Row 1: 1961-3
Row 2: 1964-81 (grey FM), 1982-90 (white FM), 1991-92 (red FM)

1. 1961-63, 2009 throwback: White helmet, classic Patriot Pat, grey facemask, red-white-red stripes

This helmet is in the Throwback Series 2, AFL 50th anniversary and as a bonus in the AFC east Traditional 1999 division sets. (The 2-bar helmet in the photo below is a custom).

The 1961-63 helmet might have displayed a different Patriot Pat decal than appears on the pocket pro helmets. I have seen a logo that looks like Pat is drunk with a white face. I haven’t seen any evidence that ‘drunk Pat’ was on a helmet, though.

Patriot Pat images from Bill’s Sports Maps

2. 1964-81, 1994 throwback: White helmet, Patriot Pat logo, red-white-blue-white-red stripes, grey facemask

This helmet added a blue stripe in the middle. Otherwise, it is the same as the 1961-63 helmet. This helmet is in the Throwback AFC 1969 2-bar and 1999 AFC East set as a throwback bonus. The Patriot Pat logo was enlarged for the 1980-81 helmet.

3. 1982-90: White helmet, Patriot Pat logo, red-white-blue-white-red stripes, white facemask

The same as the previous helmet, but with a white facemask. Riddell did not manufacture a factory version of this helmet. The logo on the actual helmet is still enlarged, but not on the pocket helmet.

4. 1991-92: White helmet, Patriot Pat logo, red-white-blue-white-red stripes, red facemask

The same as the previous helmet, but with a red facemask. This helmet is in the Patriots Throwback 4-pc Team Set. The logo on the actual helmet is still enlarged, but not on the pocket helmet.

Patriots 1993-present Modern Patriot Pat

Between 1992 and 1999, the modern Patriot Pat was a royal blue color. Ever since 2000, the Patriot Pat has been a dark blue color.

1993

New England rolled out the current silver helmet in 1993. This helmet had a grey facemask in 1993, but switched to a red facemask in 1994. The patriot logo on this helmet royal blue \. An official pocket pro for this helmet was not made. However, it can easily be made by taking the 1994-99 traditional style helmet red facemask and replacing it with a grey one.

1994-99

This helmet is the same as the 1993 helmet, but with a red facemask. It’s available in the first traditional sets (1997 through 1999). This helmet is available only in the traditional style.

2000-present

The Patriots helmet stayed the same, with two exceptions. The Patriot logo changed from the royal blue color to a darker blue. And the silver color was changed to “new century” silver. The current helmet style has a red facemask and pocket pros in the traditional, revolution, and speed styles.

Patriots Team Sets

This set has three helmets that can only be found in this set:

Patriots: 1991-92 (white helmet)
Patriots: Super Bowl 36 traditional style – super bowl 36 / NE logo (also available in chrome and revolution styles)
Patriots: Super Bowl 38 traditional style – super bowl 38 / NE logo (also available in chrome and revolution styles)