Fire Helmet, "Niagara 3 Pelham"
date: label: date made
content: early 19th century
name: label: maker
content: unknown
notes: label: Description
content: The traditional American leather firefighter’s helmet with its distinctive long rear brim, front shield, and crest adornment was first developed around 1821-1836 in New York City. Henry T. Gratacap, a New York City luggage maker by trade, is often credited as the developer of this style of fire helmet. Gratacap created a specially treated leather helmet with a segmented “comb” design that led to unparalleled durability and strength. The elongated rear brim (also known as a duckbill or beavertail) and front shield were 19th century innovations that remain the most identifiable feature of firefighter’s helmets. The body of the helmet was primarily designed to deflect falling debris, the rear brim prevented water from running down firefighters’ backs, and their sturdy crowns aided in breaking windows.
label: Description
content: This leather fire helmet was made by an unknown maker during the early 19th century. The helmet is an interesting amalgamation of styles, featuring the combs from later helmets, but replacing the elongated rear brim with a leather “cape” hanging from the back and sides. The cape serves the same purpose as the long rear brim, preventing water from running down the fireman’s neck. The helmet also has a leather frontispiece, originally painted with three gold and red stars over the gold and red text “NIAGARA/3/PELHAM.”
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
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: 2005.0233.0182
label: accession number
content: 2005.0233
label: catalog number
content: 2005.0233.0182
objectType: label: Object Name
content: helmet, fire
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: leather (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 28 in x 20 in; 71.12 cm x 50.8 cm
label: Measurements
content: hat only: 12 in x 6 1/2 in; 30.48 cm x 16.51 cm