Helmet Frontpiece, “McLean Engine 3”
date: label: date made
content: early 20th 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 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 frontpiece was made during the early 20th century. At the top of the red leather frontpiece are two dark brown banners with white leather lettering that reads “McLEAN/ENGINE.” A large white leather “3” is in the center of the piece, below it is a recessed cartouche with a dark brown background. White leather initials “HPS” originally were in the cartouche, but the “H” is missing a stem, and the “P” is completely absent.
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: 2005.0233.1492
label: accession number
content: 2005.0233
label: catalog number
content: 2005.0233.1492
objectType: label: Object Name
content: frontpiece, helmet
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: leather (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 8 in x 4 1/4 in; 20.32 cm x 10.795 cm