This
is a vintage 1950's Wilson model number A9906 "Double
Bar" Catchers Mask. The mask features a leather
covered hair filled padding that is buttoned to the one
piece cast heat treated magnesium frame. The Wilson "Made
in U.S.A" brand name and model number is located on the
adjustable head straps. Wilson started to use the A-prefix
in their model numbers for equipment in the 1950's.
The one piece
Two-bar
style catchers masks started to hit the market with more
regularity in the 1940's
and became more popular by the 1950s. A lot of the earlier
1940s "platform masks," look similar to the
1950s models, but, the one piece aluminum casting
horizontal crossbar mask, had the leather
padding laced to the frame. The electric wielded steel
wire masks from the 1930s still dominated the market. This
might be due to reserving materials for the war effort.
This style catchers mask made it into the 1960's, but were
more streamlined.
