Presentation Trumpet, "Frankford Arsenal"
date: label: date made
content: unknown
name: label: maker
content: unknown
notes: label: Description (Brief)
content: As more American volunteer fire fighting companies began to form during the late 18th century, a need emerged for better organized efforts in combating conflagrations. Engineers and officers would use “speaking trumpets” to amplify their voices over the noise and commotion of a fire scene to direct the company in effectively fighting the blaze. Two trumpet variants are reflected in the collection: plain and functional “working” trumpets that were actively used at fires, and highly decorated “presentation” trumpets. Presentation trumpets were awarded to firefighters in honor of their service, or between fire companies during visits, competitions, and musters.
label: Description (Brief)
content: This metal speaking trumpet was presented to the Union Steam Fire Engine Company by the Frankford Arsenal during the 19th century. The trumpet is engraved with flowers and leaves, with a scalloped bell rim engraved with leaves around the edge. A brass shield is in the center of the shaft, and bears an inscription that reads “Union S.F.E. Co. of Frankford Arsenal." Two miniature eagle heads attached to the shaft hold rings in their beaks. Frankford Arsenal was a United States Army munitions plant near Philadelphia, 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: Cultures & Communities
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content: Work
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content: Firefighting Collection
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content: Speaking Trumpets
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: 2005.0233.0885
label: accession number
content: 2005.0233
label: catalog number
content: 2005.0233.0885
objectType: label: Object Name
content: trumpet, speaking
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: brass (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: metal (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 22 1/2 in x 8 3/4 in; 57.15 cm x 22.225 cm