Helmet Frontpiece, "John S. Damrell"
date: label: date made
content: ca 1873
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 around 1873. The brown frontpiece had gold lettering that reads “John S. Damrell/11/JMN.” The Engine Company No. 11 in the Boston Fire Department was named after former Boston Fire Department Chief John S. Damrell from 1869-1873. The initials “JMN” likely referred to Josiah M. Nottage, a hoseman with the Engine Company No. 11 who served from 1873 until 1894.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: North America
setName: label: See more items in
content: Home and Community Life: Fire Fighting and Law Enforcement
label: See more items in
content: Clothing & Accessories
label: See more items in
content: Firefighting Collection
label: See more items in
content: Work
label: See more items in
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: 2005.0233.1430
label: accession number
content: 2005.0233
label: catalog number
content: 2005.0233.1430
objectType: label: Object Name
content: frontpiece, helmet
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: leather (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 7 1/2 in x 5 1/2 in; 19.05 cm x 13.97 cm