Helmet Frontpiece, "Hope Steam Fire Co. 17"
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 white leather frontpiece was worn by a member of the Hope Steam Fire Company No. 17, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Organized in 1796 as the Hope Fire Engine Company, a hand engine company, it acquired a steam engine in 1860 and changed its name to the Hope Steam Fire Engine Company No. 17. The company was active until 1871 when Philadelphia’s paid firefighting department was established. The frontpiece has three red banners with raised white leather letters that originally read “HOPE / STEAM FIRE Co. / JHL,” but some of the letters are now missing. A large black number “17” is in the center of the frontpiece. The letters “JHL” likely referred to the owner’s initials.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: Associated Place
content: United States: New York, Queens, Long Island City
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: 2005.0233.1452
label: accession number
content: 2005.0233
label: catalog number
content: 2005.0233.1452
objectType: label: Object Name
content: frontpiece, helmet
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: leather (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 8 in x 4 in; 20.32 cm x 10.16 cm