Fire Helmet, "U.F.I."
date: label: date made
content: 19th century
name: label: maker
content: Anderson & Jones
notes: label: Description
content: The traditional American leather firefighter’s helmet with its distinctive long rear brim, frontpiece, 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 frontpiece 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 could aid, if necessary, in breaking windows.
label: Description
content: This leather fire helmet was made by Anderson & Jones of New York, New York in the 19th century. The helmet has four prominent combs and an ivy-vine scrolling pattern is stamped into the brim of the helmet. A metal eagle’s head is mounted onto the top of the helmet to serve as a frontpiece holder. The rear brim bears the initials “U.F.I.” in painted gold letters with red shading. The initials “UFI” likely refers to United Fireman’s Insurance. United Fireman’s Insurance acted as a mutual aid society that was composed of several fire companies who collected dues and managed a fund to aid wounded and disabled fire fighters.
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: Work
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content: Firefighting Collection
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content: Fire Helmets
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: 2005.0233.0216
label: accession number
content: 2005.0233
label: catalog number
content: 2005.0233.0216
objectType: label: Object Name
content: helmet, fire
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: leather (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 8 1/4 in x 14 in; 20.955 cm x 35.56 cm