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.
