Helmet Frontpiece, “Philadelphia Fire Dept. Engine Co. 1”
date: label: date made
content: unknown
name: label: maker
content: Cairns & Brother
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 patent leather frontpiece was made by Cairns & Brother of New York, New York in the mid-20th century. The black frontpiece has two recessed banners at the top and bottom. The rim of the frontpiece and the banners are framed by stitching. The upper banner reads “ENGINE” in white paint; the lower banner reads “13” in white paint. A large white leather number “1” is stitched on to the center of the piece.
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: 2005.0233.1503
label: accession number
content: 2005.0233
label: catalog number
content: 2005.0233.1503
objectType: label: Object Name
content: frontpiece, helmet
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: leather (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 6 in x 4 1/2 in; 15.24 cm x 11.43 cm