Fire Badge "Town of Union F.D."
Fire Badge "Town of Union F.D."
Usage conditions apply
- Description
- This shield–shaped metal fire badge belonged to a member of the Town of Union (New Jersey) Fire Department. The silver badge has an upper banner that reads “TOWN OF UNION” and a lower plaque with the initials “F.D.” inside. There is a central decoration featuring a fire helmet with a trumpet, hook, ladder, lantern, axe, and hose all arrayed behind the helmet. The badge number “113” is in raised numbers underneath the helmet.
- Metal firefighter’s badges were a part of the firefighter’s uniform since volunteer companies began to proliferate in the early 19th century. As volunteer companies gave way to municipal fire departments during the mid–19th century, these badges became mandated by uniform codes. Badges served as official identification at fire scenes, as access to derelict buildings by unscrupulous citizens could result in looting. Fire badges came in a variety of shapes, most notably circular, shield–shaped, or the Maltese cross. While shield–shaped badges were often worn on the chest, circular and cross-shaped badges can be seen on jacket lapels or soft caps. Badges usually detailed the company’s name, number and department, and were often decorated with various symbols of the profession such as hose carriages, hand–pumped engines, hoses, trumpets, helmets, hooks, and ladders. For paid municipal companies, many badges also featured the badge number of the wearer.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- badge, fireman's
- date made
- late 19th century
- maker
- unknown
- place made
- United States
- Physical Description
- metal (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 2 1/4 in x 1 3/4 in; 5.715 cm x 4.445 cm
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.1306
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.1306
- Credit Line
- Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
- See more items in
- Home and Community Life: Fire Fighting and Law Enforcement
- Work
- Firefighting Collection
- Fire Badges
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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