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.
Firefighter's belt. A 2.5in wide black leather belt, edges bound i white leather with a zig-zag edge on the front. Center cut-out portion reveals a red background with raised white letters: "WASHINGTON" 3.5in wide moveable slide also bound in white on edges with red cut out background with raised "W F Co" in white letters, On the back, a 9" long x .75in wide belt with 10 holes is attached 10 inches from the rounded end with a small buckle at the tapered opposite end..
Firefighter's belt. A 2.5in wide black leather belt, edges bound in white leather with a zig zag edge on the front. Center cut out portion reveals a red background with raised white letters: "WASHINGTON." A 3.5in wide moveable slide also bound in white on edges with red cut out background with raised "W F Co" in white letters. Belt with holes is detached belt on one end with a small buckle.
Firefighter's belt. A 2.5in wide black leather belt, edges bound in white leather with a zig-zag edge on the front. Center cut out portion reveals a red background with raised white letters: "WASHINGTON." A 3.5in wide moveable slide also bound in white on edges with red cut out background with raised "W F Co" in white letters. On the back, a 9.5in long x .75in wide belt with 8 holes is attached 12.5in from the round edge with a small buckle at the tapered/opposite end.
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"
SA firefighter's belt marked Shiffler 7. A 2.325in wide black leather belther belt bound around edges in freen leather with a zig zag edge on the front center cut out portion revelas a red background with raised white letters "SH FFLER HOSE." There is a 2.75in wide moveable slide with edges bound in green and red cut out background with raised "7." A 9in leather strip attached to back holds slide. A 10in long x .75in wide belt with 10 holes is attached 14in from the rounded end witha small buckle at the opposite end. Taped to back, handwritten in ink "J./_ G. Goodman."
Black leather belt with 11.5in red inset with 1in high dimensional white letters spelling "WASHINGTON" All edges are bound in white leather with a scalloped edge in front. A 1.25in x 1.25in black enamel metal buckle is at one end. The leather strap with 7 holes is attached to the back of the belt at the opposite end of the buckle. The belt is buckled with the bukle assembly on teh back, and the belt itself covers the buckle. A sliding loop on the buckle side of the belt holds the endin place, over top of the buckle. This slide is held with a strap of leather on the back of the belt to anchor it while allowing for movement. the 3.325in wdie belt loop of balck leather also has a red inset with raised white letters "WF Co."
