For years, I saw the photo below floating around the internet. It displays four Oilers helmets. The middle row shows the following:

1. 1981-96 traditional style helmet
2. 1997-98 traditional style helmet (with the small flag under the earhole)

The interesting thing about the picture is the helmets in the front and back. The helmet in the front row takes the small flag logo and moves it to the middle, like a prototyle. I always assumed it was a custom. The helmet in the back shows the 1981-96, but it’s shiny, like a chrome helmet. I didn’t know what to think, and nothing could be verified, so I moved on.

Recently, on the Custom Pocket Pro facebook site, a collector posted a picture and video of what appears to be a chrome helmet.

It’s an awesome helmet. That being said, I am skeptical (nothing against the person who posted the picture!) I’m a professional researcher. I can’t help it. Here’s the reasons for my skepticism:

• The Oilers wore this style helmet through the 1996 season. In 1997, they added the Tennesse flag logo under the earhole. As far as I can tell, Riddell started manufacturing chrome helmets in 2000, two years after this helmet expired. The Giants, Saints, and Rams redesigned their helmets in 2000. The Ravens did in 1999. None of them have chrome helmets for earlier years. For instance, there is no chrome helmet for the 98-98 Ravens. Or for the Giants helmet with the GIANTS logo.
• In the early days (and maybe still today), it was not uncommon for collectors to gloss-coat helmets. These helmets can look a lot like chrome helmets. For instance, I found the Oilers helmet below on worthpoint (an archive of past ebay items). The seller states: “Up For Bid is a Custom 1970-71 Houston Oilers Alternate 2 Bar Pocket Pro Helmet. Helmet is Sanded, Painted, and Gloss Coated. Will combine Shipping For Multiple Items. Thank you.” A popular seller on eBay (stormyday) used to gloss coat a lot of helmets.
• The facemask on the 1981-96 helmet appears to be chrome as well. My chrome helmets (and I have a lot!) have the regular, non-glossy facemasks. In fact, the Oilers facemask almost looks gloss coated as well, as if the whole thing was coated. That’s a total guess on my part. I could be wrong.
• I have never seen this or the other helmets in their original packaging. They were allegedly sold or given away as a four-team set, but I haven’t seen convincing evidence. Maybe it’s true? Maybe it’s a rumor?

Why I am also not skeptical:

• I can’t tell if the prototype is a custom or factory. It’s really difficult to tell in the old photo. And white helmets with clear decals look really convincing. Maybe Tennessee had planned on actually wearing the prototype and Riddell made the pocket helmet, only to have Tennessee change their mind?
• It’s possible Riddell released the chrome helmet as a special edition, two years before other chrome helmets were released. Riddell has released one-off Chrome and special edition helmets before, but doing that in 1997 would have been unusual, for sure. Still, it’s possible.
• Maybe it was part of a team set and Riddell included the chrome helmet as a throwback. Riddell did this with other team sets.

I am definitely not calling anyone a liar or suggesting someone is trying to scam anyone. I only have several reasons to be skeptical. If the 81-96 Oilers chrome helmet is a true factory chrome helmet, that would be an awesome find! I certainly hope that’s the case. I’m curious if anyone else has this helmet or set.