As more American volunteer fire fighting companies began to form during the late 18th century, a need emerged for better organized efforts in combating conflagrations. Engineers and officers would use “speaking trumpets” to amplify their voices over the noise and commotion of a fire scene to direct the company in effectively fighting the blaze. Two trumpet variants are reflected in the collection: plain and functional “working” trumpets that were actively used at fires, and highly decorated “presentation” trumpets. Presentation trumpets were awarded to firefighters in honor of their service, or between fire companies during visits, competitions, and musters.
This silver plated speaking trumpet was presented to James F. Gaffney and dates from the mid to late 19th century. The trumpet has a plain surface with beaded bands around the mouthpiece and upper and lower bulges in the trumpet. There is an egg and dart pattern stamped around the bell of the horn. Two gilded eagles’ heads are attached to the trumpet holding rings in their beaks that are connected by a braided purple cord with tassels on the end. There are decorative incisions around an engraving that reads “Presented to James F. Gaffney by his Friends for his Good qualities as a Fireman and his Virtues as a citizen.”
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