Firefighter's belt from the Shiffler Fire Company. 2.5in wide leather belt painted dark red, edges bound in green leather with a scalloped edge on the front. Center cut out portion reveals a green background with raised metal letters: "SHIFFLER." A silver colored metal buckle (3in) displays in relief fire fighting equipment. A sheild in the center contains a #7. The bent edge on the back of the shield hookos over a link at the pposite end of the belt. Belt size is adjusted by moving hooks (attached at both ends of belt) to various holes in the belt.
Note: A card, found loose in the box near this belt reads: "Shiffler Fire Co., No 7, Leather Belt. Presented by Mrs. Elizabeth Morrison, Bausman, PA."
A card, found loose in the box near this belt, reads: "Shiffler Fire Co., No 7, Leather Belt. Presented by Mrs. Elizabeth Morrison, Bausman, PA." No more information in known. 11/18/2015 VAP
Woven coverlet with central medallion circled by leaves, vines and grapes. Eagles on each of the four inner corners have wings spread, stars and stripes on their breasts. Eagles on the border have wings closed. Outer border of swags and tassels. Band at foot edge:, "Made by H. Stager - Mount Joy - Lancaster Co. PA - Fast Color - No 1 - Clara L. Whitlock"
One piece, no center seam. Cream-colored cotton warp; red, green and blue-green wool weft. Top edge rolled and stitches. 2-inch self-fringes on sides; tape with fringes sewn to foot edge.
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
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)
Mechanical fluter that attaches to tabletop with clamp on base. Wood-handled crank moves two rollers with longitudinal ridges that engage each other like gears.
Patented in 1866
Provenance
that they were better known as fluting irons or fluting machines, but were also called rufflers, crimpers and fluters. They were very popular during the 18th century when Victorian women wore dresses with mounds of fabric trimmed in dainty ruffles, flutes, flounces and small pleats.
These machines were used to “crimp, ruffle and press little pleats into starched fabric. Fluters were used for collars, cuffs, etc., and these vintage tools were an invention that saw their heyday in America from the 1860s through the 1880s,” according to the Mechanical Nature Antiques website
White metal helmet plate with brass banner with "SHIFFLER" at top, 3in high "7" in center, and banner with "S. FIre Co." at bottom. Names and numbers attached with 7 nuts in the back.
