Helmet Frontpiece, “Volunteer Fireman of Stonington, CT to Passaic Fire Co. of Paterson NJ”
date: label: date made
content: 19th century
name: label: maker
content: unknown
notes: label: Description (Brief)
content: The frontpiece (also known as shield or badge) of firefighting helmets has been a distinctive part of the American firefighter’s helmet since it was developed by Henry Gratacap in the early 19th century. These frontpieces displayed a variety of information. The fire company's name and number appeared, often alongside the city or town where it was based. The frontpiece could also include the owner's initials and rank. Most fire helmets had leather frontpieces, but frontpieces could also be made of metal, especially on presentation helmets or those worn in parades.
label: Description (Brief)
content: This leather frontpiece was made during the 19th century; possibly around 1868.The shield commemorates the meeting of an unknown No. 2 fire company from Stonington Connecticut with the Passaic No. 1 company from Paterson, New Jersey. The frontpiece is made of light tan leather overall. At the top is a banner with the black leather letters “ONE” with the letter “P” in black paint. The letters “NI” can be seen in red. No known company “PNOINE” company existed, and the missing letters makes identifying the company difficult. A large recessed number “2” is on the upper half of the frontpiece. A banner below has black leather letters that read “STONINGTON Ct”; below that is a recessed cartouche with the black leather letters “TO”; a banner below reads “PASSAIC” in black leather letters. A large recessed black number “1” has the black leather letters “PATERSON, NJ” in a banner below it.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: United States
setName: label: See more items in
content: Home and Community Life: Fire Fighting and Law Enforcement
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content: Clothing & Accessories
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content: Firefighting Collection
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content: Work
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content: Helmet Frontpieces
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 2005.0233.1497
label: accession number
content: 2005.0233
label: catalog number
content: 2005.0233.1497
objectType: label: Object Name
content: frontpiece, helmet
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: leather (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 13 1/4 in x 9 3/4 in; 33.655 cm x 24.765 cm