Are these 1939 jerseys originals?

The listings come straight from eBay, so both turn up: jerseys made in 1939 and licensed throwbacks printed recently. Check the maker's tag first.

How do I spot a reproduction 1939 jersey?

A Mitchell & Ness or Hardwood Classics tag means a licensed reproduction. Ask the seller for photos of the neck tag and wash tag, and match the maker to the year. Know the limit of the tag check: counterfeits copy the correct maker tag, so lean on price. Real vintage does not sell far below every comparable listing, and a game-worn jersey priced like a t-shirt is neither.

1939NFL Jerseys

NFL jerseys from the 1939 season, pulled from eBay as listings change. Replicas, throwbacks, and the occasional game-worn shirt.

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1939 Davey O'Brien, "Heisman Winner Tries on NFL Jersey for First Time" Photo

Seller 99.8% positive · 13.4k

$49.95View on eBay ›

Close to 1939: the 1938 season

eBay is thin on 1939 NFL right now. These are 1938 listings, one season over, labeled so you know what you're looking at.

Used

STALL & DEAN JERSEY CITY GIANTS #51 FOOTBALL JERSEY Circa 1938 2XL

Seller 100% positive · 412

$100.00View on eBay ›

Close to 1939: the 1940 season

eBay is thin on 1939 NFL right now. These are 1940 listings, one season over, labeled so you know what you're looking at.

Used

Pittsburgh Steelers # 92 HARRISON NFL NIKE 80 SEASONS JERSEY 1933 - 2012 Sz 40

Seller 100% positive · 3.4k

$75.00View on eBay ›

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Original or reproduction?

These are live eBay listings, so "1939" in a title can mean two things: a jersey made in 1939, or a throwback printed last month. The first thing to check is the maker's tag against who was actually making jerseys then.

The full NFL dating guide: tags, patches and fakes, season by season ›

Not sure what era this is? Pick the detail you can see ›

A Mitchell & Ness or Hardwood Classics tag means a licensed reproduction. A fine gift, not a 1939 original.
Ask the seller for photos of the neck tag and the wash tag. Logos, fonts and fabric should match the era.
The tag check has a limit: counterfeits copy the correct maker tag too. Price is the signal that scales. Real vintage doesn't sell far below every comparable listing, and a game-worn jersey priced like a t-shirt is neither.
The Era originals filter above hides listings that are newly made by their own description: multi-size runs, custom name and number offers, reproduction brands. What survives isn't guaranteed original. A one-off fake in a single size with the right tag passes every check a listing allows, which is exactly why seller photos and feedback still matter.