Artist/Maker
Unidentified maker
Watchman’s rattle
1800–1840
Place made, probablyPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Place madeUnited States, North America
Oak
Overall: 7 3/4 × 8 1/4 × 2 in. (19.7 × 21 × 5.1 cm)
Gift of Mrs. J. Insley Blair
1938.5
Before the invention of fire alarms, voluntary night watchmen patrolled streets for smoke or flames. To call volunteer firefighters to action, they swung a ratcheted wooden rattle that thundered sounds of alarm.
DescriptionWooden cog rattle mounted on turned reeded handle; clapper mounted in turned bulbous projection with incised bands.Markingspainted: on clapper mount: "B-21"
etched: in clapper mount: "E"
ClassificationsFIRE FIGHTING TOOLS & EQUIPMENT
