Helmet Frontpiece, “Deptford 4”
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 uniform since its present shape was developed by Henry Gratacap in the early 19th century. These frontpieces typically served to identify the helmet’s owner; detailing the wearer’s initials or their position in the company, the name and number of the company, the type of firefighting unit, or the name of the town where the company was based. Most protective helmets had frontpieces made of leather, but helmets that were presentation pieces or worn during parades could feature metal frontpieces.
label: Description (Brief)
content: This metal frontpiece was made in the 19th century. The frontpiece is made of nickel and reads “DEPTFORD/4” in brass lettering. The Deptford Fire Company No. 4 was founded in 1792 and operated in Baltimore, Maryland during the 19th century.
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: 2005.0233.1469
label: accession number
content: 2005.0233
label: catalog number
content: 2005.0233.1469
objectType: label: Object Name
content: frontpiece, helmet
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: nickel (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: zinc (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: brass (part: letters material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 7 3/4 in x 6 1/4 in; 19.685 cm x 15.875 cm