Helmet Frontpiece, “Duquesne 3”
date: label: date made
content: 1895-1900
name: label: maker
content: Wilson, William H.
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 by the William H. Wilson Manufacturing Company located at 135 Bowery Street, New York, New York between 1895 and 1900. The dark brown leather frontpiece has a banner at the top with soiled white leather letters that read “DUQUESNE.” There are two small recessed cutouts at the bottom of the frontpiece with the leather initials “FA” inside. This likely stands for "Fire Association". This frontpiece may come from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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: 2005.0233.1495
label: accession number
content: 2005.0233
label: catalog number
content: 2005.0233.1495
objectType: label: Object Name
content: frontpiece, helmet
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: leather (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 8 in x 4 3/4 in; 20.32 cm x 12.065 cm