This metal fireman’s badge belonged to a member of the Brooklyn Fire Department sometime between 1869, when the paid department replaced the volunteers, and 1898, when the B.F.D. was consolidated into the New York Fire Department. The badge has a rounded cross or cloverleaf design with the initials “B.F.D.” on the left, upper, and right arms, and the number “498” on the bottom arm. The circular center of the cross bears Brooklyn’s seal. The seal features a woman holding a fasces (an axe in a bundle of sticks), a symbol from Roman times suggesting strength through unity. The seal is inscribed with Brooklyn’s motto, “Eendracht maakt macht,” which is Dutch for “unity makes strength.”
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.
This shield-shaped white metal fire badge belonged to a fireman serving with Hose Company No. 3 of Long Island City, New York. The badge was used sometime prior to 1891, when the department became a paid unit. A decoration of a crossed trumpet and hose nozzle behind a fire helmet sits at the top of the badge. Below is a banner that reads “L.I. CITY. F.D.” in raised letters. The badge number “571” is in the center of the badge in raised metal. Below is a raised image of a four wheeled hose carriage in Prince’s metal. A circular plaque at the bottom of the badge is inscribed with the number “3.”
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.
This circular metal fire badge belonged to a member of the Hoboken Fire Department Engine Number 2 who was given badge number 246. The badge has a stippled background with a rim that consists of a riveted hose. A worn silver number “2” is in the center of the badge, flanked by the initials “F” and “D.” Upper and lower banners read “HOBOKEN/ENGINE.” The number “246” is inscribed in a cartouche at the top of the badge. The Hoboken Fire Department was established in 1891 with six companies, so this badge would have been produced after that date.
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.
This circular metal fire badge belonged to a member of the fire department of Passaic New Jersey during the early 20th century. The badge’s rim is made to look like a riveted fire hose. The top of the fire badge is decorated with a crossed hose nozzle and speaking trumpet behind a fire helmet. An upper banner reads “PASSAIC” and the lower banner reads “FIRE.DEPARTMENT” in raised letters. A raised number “4” in white metal is in the center of the badge. The Passaic Fire Department was first incorporated in 1869, and various volunteer companies operated until 1909, when the paid fire department was instituted. The badge would date to after 1909.
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.
This metal fire badge is in the shape of the Maltese cross, a popular symbol for firefighters. The upper arm has a banner that reads "COLUMBIA" and the lower arm reads "F.D." A hydrant with hose is on the left arm and a crossed hook, ladder, and torch are behind a fire helmet on the right arm. The center of the badge features a ladder truck with the initials "W.H." above and the number “1” below. Columbia was a popular name for fire companies, but the initials “W.H” and the imagery of the hook and ladder truck suggests that this badge belonged to a member of the Columbia Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 of the West Hoboken Fire Department in West Hoboken, New Jersey. Columbia Hook & Ladder Co. 1 was organized in 1878, and since West Hoboken was absorbed into Union City in 1925, the badge would date between those years.
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.
This shield-shaped metal fire badge belonged to an exempt member of the fire department from Elizabeth, New Jersey. The badge is decorated with a central image of a fire helmet, with a lantern, trumpet, and axe arrayed behind it. At the top of the badge is a circular plaque with number “214” inside it. An upper banner reads “ELIZABETH” with the initials “F.D.” below. The lower banner reads “EXEMPT.” Exempt firemen were firemen who had served a set number of years in the volunteer department and were now excluded from jury duty or militia service. Later, exempt firemen created their own social associations to foster camaraderie and “continue the fraternal associations” established as volunteer firemen.
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.
This shield-shaped metal fire badge belonged to a member of the fire department of Ithaca, New York. A volunteer fire department had operated since 1823 when the town of Ithaca purchased a hand pumped fire engine. The paid municipal Ithaca Fire Department that would have used this badge was formed in 1906, so the badge would date from that time. The badge has a central decoration of a crossed speaking trumpet and hose nozzle behind a fire helmet. At the tope the badge reads “ITHACA” in raised letters while a lower banner reads “FIRE DEPARTMENT” in raised letters.
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.
This shield-shaped metal fire badge belonged to a member of the Albany, New York fire department. The paid Albany Fire Department was instituted in 1848, and re organized and incorporated in 1867. The badge likely dates to after 1867. A small circular plaque at the top of the badge is inscribed with the badge number “2” that is slightly worn. Below is the raised initials “A.F.D.” with the raised white metal number “788” in the center. At the bottom of the badge is a raised image representing the coat of arms of Albany. It features a crest with a sloop, and an escutcheon with a fallen tree being gnawed by a beaver above two sheaves of wheat. The escutcheon is flanked by a farmer with sickle on the left and a Native American with bow on the right.
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.
This shield-shaped metal fire badge was issued to an exempt member of the New York City Fire Department between 1855 and 1860. Exempt firemen served five years or more in the volunteer company, granting them exemptions from certain other civic responsibilities. These “exempts” often created associations which mainly served as social clubs, although some exempt fire fighters continued to serve as fire departments if needed. Exempt firemen received a badge in white metal with Prince’s metal numbers; firemen that had not previously served five years to achieve exempt status received badges made of Prince’s metal with white metal numbers. The badge has an upper banner with the inscription “N.Y. FIRE” and the lower banner reads “DEPARTMENT.” The inscriptions are filled in with black enamel. The center of the badge bears the raised badge number “73” in Prince’s Metal.
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.
