The leather helmets offered virtually no protection against shell fragments and shrapnel and the conspicuous spike made its wearer a target.

Their shiny chrome helmets were purchased in 1929 to replace the original white leather helmets and the fancy dress uniforms were purchased in 1976.

As early as 1935 the football team wore black leather helmets with a purple stripe, or occasionally purple helmets with a black stripe.

In 1951, the team finally stopped wearing leather helmets, adopting the metallic gold helmet it has used ever since.

Body armor was supplemented by reinforced leather helmets, and tough shields of elephant or hippo hide.