Leather firefighting helmet. Ornate leather firefighting helmet with stamped border around rim, vertical designs on sections on dome and manufacturer's seal "H.G. Grata cap _ St NY" On back 2.5in tall "1820" painted in red and gold. Metal eagle head is mounted facing front on top of front. Eagle appears to hold in its beak a leather crest with a 3.25in high blue "4" with white leather cut out to reveal it. Cut out on top revelas a red background with white letter: W_SH____ON." A cut out section at the base has a red background and white letters "_. C. L." Remnants of red fabric around edge of interior where hat fits onto head.
Manufacturer's stamp " H.T. Gratacap, Manufacturer of Firemans Caps, Belts, &c 143 Grand St, New York"
Firefighting helmet from the Shiffler Fire Company. Leather helmet painted dark red on top with edge and underside of brim painted black. On back of brim "1852" painted in gold and black, 2.25in high. Hat in 16 sections with 4 raised arcs, one in back and two at sides painted gold. Center front of helmet a golden metal eagle's head reaches forward with a ball or berry in its beak This may fit inot the horizontal loop at the top back of the metal shield to hold it in place. metal sheild, curved silver colored with three brass pieces attached. Top banner reads: "SHIFFLER;" middle piece is 3in high "7;" and bottom banner reads: "S. FIRE Co." Lined with a 3in band of red flocked fabric.
Leather firefighter's helmet. From 1820, Washington
Leather fire helmet painted brown overall. Impressed decorative floral chain border plus vertical impressions on the 8 sections of the helmet. 3 of the wider arcs are painted gold. The front arc is topped with a metal eagle head painted gold. A leather shield on the front is white, with cut-out portions revealing a blue "4." Red portions have "WASHINGTON' and "CAF" in white letters. Two eyebolts screwed into helmet front to secure the leather shield. Oval company seal pressed into leather on back rim of hat (on upper side): "H.T. Gratacap Grand St. NY."
Underside: 3" wide lined red flocked fabric headband on inside of helmet still in tact. Hole drilled through back of brim.
Maker is: H.T. Gratacap Manufacturer of Firemen's Caps, Belt &c.
Fireman's hat - 1820. Decorative border in relief around brim. decorative impressions in leather forming the helmet. Emblem impressed on underside of back of hat "Wilson maker _ _ BOWERY." Of eight vertical ridges on the helmet, four ridges, painted gold, widen to .5" high at the top. An eagle neck and head of gold colored metal has been attached to the front ridge with two metal pins or nails. The eagle has detailed feathers and a berry in its beak. "1820" in red and gold is painted on top of rear brim.
American Fire Company Parade Hat. Leather hat with brim (3" in front tapering to 1 3/8" in rear). Height of central portion of hat is 6" in front and slopes to 1 3/8" at rear. Exterior painted red with 1/4" black borders around rim and base of crown of hat. U.S. emblem/shield in red, white and blue painted on crown beneath a black banner with "American" in 1"-high gold letters. Label inside with "Mr. Jacob Sener." Piece of paper cut and pasted to inside top of hat.
Fireman's hat belonging to Cornelius F. May. Leather Fireman's Helmet, painted black on top. Decorative border impressed around rim. Maker's oval seal impressed on rear top brim. Four section helmet. Leather on top of front arc is shaped as an eagle head peainted gold. 4.5in wide fabric band lines teh helmet. Written on band: "C.F. MAY LANCASTER 37 SOUTH QUEEN ST. J.K. Bauman Lancaster J.M." Illegible name written in ink on a lable inside helment. Underside of helmet is painted green. Made by Wilson, Fire Cap Maker, 135 Bowery, New York
Union Fire Company parade Helmet from 1867, front badge, shield-shaped rear brim; made by Cairns and Bros., New York City. Leather exterior painted black overall. Brim painted green on underside. Center front, a gold metal emblem with firefighting equipment and a raised silver metal #1. Golden metal buttons with "FD" above each ear, with gold rope (with 2 square note) looped over them. Unpainted leather lining with 2.625in fabric band at base. "CF May" written in ink onto fabric band. "union: painted in gold letters on rear brim.
Black leather fire Helmet, Union Fire Company, made by Cairns and Bros., New York City. "UNION" letters on longer tab on back. Two gold cords across front and anchored above ears on both sides around a gold button with "FD" in the center. Attached to helmet in front above the rim is a large gold logo with a silver-colored "1."
(One of three similar helmets: 1924.008.4, 1927.017.1, 2023.001.185)
Black leather fire Helmet, Union Fire Company, made by Cairns and Bros., New York City. "UNION" letters on longer tab on back. Two gold cords across front and anchored above ears on both sides around a gold button with "FD" in the center. Attached to helmet in front above the rim is a large gold logo with a silver-colored "1."
Torn sticker "Lancaster County Historical Society - Organd 1886; reorg.. 1896 Incorporated 1901," inside. Hole pierced in back extension.
(One of three similar helmets: 1924.008.4, 1927.017.1, 2023.001.185)
Leather Fire Helmet painted black on top and red underneath. Impressed decorative border of bunches of grapes and grape vines. Upside down V's impressed onto 8 vertical sections. Four sections are wider. Front section is topped with an eagle head painted gold. Metal wire extending down from its beak is holding leather in place. Two stitches on the sides and at the base anchor the shield. The shield consists of several components. The top layer, painted white, has five cut out sections. Center reveals a 3.25in high blue section. Remaining four cut outs are red with white letters. Top sections has two letters "U" and "N" of Union;left side "STEAM" right side "ENGINE." Bottom is blank. "1780" painted in red and gold on back top brim. Inside the helmet is a 3in wide fabric band. "Union 65" painted in white letters inside the helmet.
