Fire Helmet, "Columbia 5 FD"

Description:

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.

This leather helmet is painted white and has a metal eagle frontpiece holder mounted on the crown. The helmet has eight combs, and there is a label on the inside that reads “F. Moran, size 7 ¼.” The leather frontpiece has been painted red and originally read “COLUMBIA/5/FD,” but some of the letters are now missing.

Date Made: c.1840

Maker: unknown

Location: Currently not on view

Subject: Fire Fighting

Subject:

See more items in: Home and Community Life: Fire Fighting and Law Enforcement, Clothing & Accessories, Work, Firefighting Collection, Fire Helmets

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 2005.0233.0146Accession Number: 2005.0233Catalog Number: 2005.0233.0146

Object Name: helmet, fire

Physical Description: leather (overall material)white (overall color)Measurements: overall: 9 1/2 in x 10 3/4 in x 15 1/4 in; 24.13 cm x 27.305 cm x 38.735 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ac-88c7-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_1331054

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.