Fire helmet

ca. 1862

Place madeNew York, New York, United States, North America

Leather, paint, brass, gilding, other metal, textile

Overall: 9 x 11 3/4 x 15 in. ( 22.9 x 29.8 x 38.1 cm )

Gift of the Exempt Firemen's Benevolent Fund Association of the 23rd & 24th Wards, 1933

INV.8892

DescriptionThirty-two comb black painted presentation fire helmet with engraved oval plaque surrounded by ornate linear relief on back of brim; black leather frontpiece with firefighting tools painted at center and painted inscription, "NY / EXEMPT / ASSOCIATION"; gilded brass eagle frontpiece holder; textile half-lining.

Markingsincised: on underside of brim: "E" stamped: on underside of brim: "[WILSON] / MAKER / . . . BOWERY / N.Y." painted: on frontpiece: "NY / EXEMPT / ASSOCIATION" engraved: on plaque affixed to back of brim: "Presented to / James Long / by the Members of / Hudson Hose Co. No. 21 / 1862" stamped: on plaque affixed to back of brim: "WILSON MAKER"

ClassificationsFIRE FIGHTING TOOLS & EQUIPMENT