This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/4/2024
Offered is a late 1890’s-Early 1900’s Football Nose Guard. Before the invention of the leather football helmet, players wore a rubber nose guard, the Morrell Nose Guard being the best protection for the head. It is considered a rare football relic, and the nose guard became popular in the 1880s-1890s to help prevent against the numerous broken noses and even deaths. Attached to the head by an elastic strap, the player would let the nose guard hang from the neck between plays. Before the snap, each player would firmly bite down on the lower back of the nose guard to hold it firmly in place against the face. The bottom part of the back of the nose guard had a protrusion that fit into the mouth that held it tightly in place, along with the strap.
This nose guard has patent dates of 9/20/1891 and 5/18/1905 and is made out of a hard plastic or resin molding with what appears to be the original elastic strap still affixed. (820G0080)
(MEARS Auction LOA)