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."
"C F MAY" is printed on fabric inside the helmet.
(One of three similar helmets: 1924.008.4, 1927.017.1, 2023.001.185)
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 fire helmet painted red over all. Impressed decorative border around brim. Vertical impressions on 8 sections of helmet. 3 wider vertical arcs are painted gold. Front arc topped with a painted metal eagle head. A metal wire hangs from its beak. "1835" in gold and black painted on top on back brim.
2 holes in front of helmet (to attach/anchor leather fire company shield).
Maker's oval seal impressed into lower side on back brim. Maker's name also on gold eagle cresting the helmet. Maker produces: "Military Society and Firemen's Equipments."
2 labels with man's signature in ink inside: "Harry L ?Pfahler?" Co. label inside.
3-inch wide durable canvas headband lines the helmet.
J.M. Migeod & Son, 510 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA
Painted emblem backed on fabric. Bottom edge is straight and outline of shape is similar to a half oval. Red overall with a 1/8-inch white border on edge. In white: "MINUTE MEN of '60 Chief Marshal." There are horizontal slits (1= 1/2"; 1= 3/4") at both ends to attach this emblem.
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.