This shield-shaped fire badge belonged to a member of the Orange, New Jersey fire department during the late 19th century. The Orange Fire Department was officially organized in 1865, and became a paid department in 1873. This badge likely dates to around this time. The badge has an upper banner that reads “ORANGE” in raised letters, with a lower banner that reads “FIRE DEPARTMENT” with the initials “NJ” below. The number “17” is in the center of the badge in raised metal. A raised image of a crossed trumpet and hose nozzle behind a fire helmet decorates the badge.
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 a Maltese cross, a popular symbol among firefighting companies. The circular center of the cross bears the image of the state seal of New Jersey. Allegorical figures of Liberty (holding her staff and liberty cap) and Ceres (holding a cornucopia) flank a shield with three plows topped by a horse’s head. The upper arm of the cross bears the initials “J.C.F.D.” the right arm has an image of a fire engine, the lower arm has the raised number “419,” and the left arm has a crossed hook and ladder. Hudson City and Bergen were consolidated into Jersey City in 1870, and the Jersey City Fire Department was organized as a paid municipal fire department in 1871.
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 fire badge was made for a fireman in Engine Company No. 25 of the New York Fire Department between 1860 and 1865. The badge is made from Prince’s metal, with the raised company number “25” in the center made of white metal. At the top of the badge is the number “78” inscribed into a circular plaque. The badge has the initials “N.Y.F.D.” at the top and a raised image of a hand pumped fire engine at the bottom. This was the second type of badge issued by the New York Fire Department, after an 1855 ordinance by the Common Council authorized a badge to be issued to the city’s 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 Poughkeepsie, New York. The badge is made of white metal, with the raised number “257” in metal in the center of the badge. Above the number is a crossed fire hose nozzle and fire trumpet behind a fire helmet. An upper banner reads “POUGHKEEPSIE” in raised letters, with a lower banner reading “FIRE DEPARTMENT” in raised letters. The Poughkeepsie Common Council established a Fire Department in 1855, and incorporated in 1930. This badge likely dates to the early 20th century.
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 elaborate metal fire badge belonged to L.J. Rathman of the Liberty Fire Company No. 5 in Reading, Pennsylvania. A shield hangs from two chains from a small nameplate that reads “L.J. RATHMAN.” The number “5” is attached to a nameplate from a ring. The shield has a circular monogram containing the overlapping letters “LFCo.” An upper banner on the shield reads “ORGANIZED 1854” and a lower banner reads “READING, PA.” The Liberty Fire Company No. 5 was established in 1854 in a fire house located on the corner of South Fifth and Laurel Street in Reading. Reading resident L.J. Rathman was the chairman of the Reading branch of the American Electro platers’ Society in 1920, dating the badge to that era.
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 fire badge belonged to a member of Hose Company No. 2 of the New Brighton Fire Department of Staten Island, New York. Numerous villages on Staten Island began operating their own volunteer departments in the 1870s. Staten Island was consolidated into the Greater City of New York in 1898, and volunteer departments were replaced with paid municipal companies from 1905 until 1937. This badge likely dates from 1870–1937. There is a circular plaque at the top of the badge with the number “353” inside. Below this are the initials “N.B.F.D.” in silver and beneath that are the raised letters “H2C” in brass. At the bottom of the badge are two female figures flanking a shield and a spread–winged eagle is atop a globe on top of the shield, likely a simplified version of the state seal of New York.
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.
