The frontpiece (also known as shield or badge) of firefighting helmets has been a distinctive part of the American firefighter’s helmet since it was developed by Henry Gratacap in the early 19th century. These frontpieces displayed a variety of information. The fire company's name and number appeared, often alongside the city or town where it was based. The frontpiece could also include the owner's initials and rank. Most fire helmets had leather frontpieces, but frontpieces could also be made of metal, especially on presentation helmets or those worn in parades.
This brown leather frontpiece has a recessed banner at the top with tan leather lettering that reads “FRIENDSHIP.”A tan recessed number “2” is in the center of the piece. At the bottom is a black recessed cartouche with the tan leather initials “JTD” inside.
The frontpiece (also known as shield or badge) of firefighting helmets has been a distinctive part of the American firefighter’s helmet since it was developed by Henry Gratacap in the early 19th century. These frontpieces displayed a variety of information. The fire company's name and number appeared, often alongside the city or town where it was based. The frontpiece could also include the owner's initials and rank. Most fire helmets had leather frontpieces, but frontpieces could also be made of metal, especially on presentation helmets or those worn in parades.
This white leather frontpiece dates to the late 19th century. The frontpiece reads "ASSISTANT" on the top banner in white lettering; "FD" in center frontpiece shape; and "ENGINEER" on the bottom banner.
The frontpiece (also known as shield or badge) of firefighting helmets has been a distinctive part of the American firefighter’s helmet since it was developed by Henry Gratacap in the early 19th century. These frontpieces displayed a variety of information. The fire company's name and number appeared, often alongside the city or town where it was based. The frontpiece could also include the owner's initials and rank. Most fire helmets had leather frontpieces, but frontpieces could also be made of metal, especially on presentation helmets or those worn in parades.
This black leather frontpiece has an arching banner at the top with raised tan leather lettering that reads “MASSACHUSETTS.” The center of the piece has a large leather number “1,” with a leather hook and ladder crossed behind it. At the bottom is a recessed cartouche with the raised tan leather initials “CFR” inside.
The frontpiece (also known as shield or badge) of firefighting helmets has been a distinctive part of the American firefighter’s helmet since it was developed by Henry Gratacap in the early 19th century. These frontpieces displayed a variety of information. The fire company's name and number appeared, often alongside the city or town where it was based. The frontpiece could also include the owner's initials and rank. Most fire helmets had leather frontpieces, but frontpieces could also be made of metal, especially on presentation helmets or those worn in parades.
This black leather frontpiece reads “BUNKER HILL/2/_ _ D” in golden leather lettering. The bottom of the frontpiece is missing several letters before the “D.”
The frontpiece (also known as shield or badge) of firefighting helmets has been a distinctive part of the American firefighter’s helmet since it was developed by Henry Gratacap in the early 19th century. These frontpieces displayed a variety of information. The fire company's name and number appeared, often alongside the city or town where it was based. The frontpiece could also include the owner's initials and rank. Most fire helmets had leather frontpieces, but frontpieces could also be made of metal, especially on presentation helmets or those worn in parades.
This metal frontpiece has two metal banners that read “SHIFFLER/S. FIRE Co” arching around a metal number “7” in the center of the piece. The Schiffler Steam Fire Company operated in the late 19th century in Camden, New Jersey.
This cross-shaped emblem has a central hole with a rim surrounded by a hose. Various fire fighting instruments are depicted around the hole including a hook and ladder, axe, speaking trumpet, and fire hat. This was not an engine plate, but rather could have been part of a memorial or commemorative display with a photograph in the center hole.
The frontpiece (also known as shield or badge) of firefighting helmets has been a distinctive part of the American firefighter’s helmet since it was developed by Henry Gratacap in the early 19th century. These frontpieces displayed a variety of information. The fire company's name and number appeared, often alongside the city or town where it was based. The frontpiece could also include the owner's initials and rank. Most fire helmets had leather frontpieces, but frontpieces could also be made of metal, especially on presentation helmets or those worn in parades.
This black leather frontpiece was made in the 19th century. The frontpiece has three red banners with raised white lettering that reads “LAFAYETTE/STEAMER/JTV” and a large white number “14” in the center of the frontpiece. The letters “JTV” likely referred to the owner’s initials.
The frontpiece (also known as shield or badge) of firefighting helmets has been a distinctive part of the American firefighter’s helmet since it was developed by Henry Gratacap in the early 19th century. These frontpieces displayed a variety of information. The fire company's name and number appeared, often alongside the city or town where it was based. The frontpiece could also include the owner's initials and rank. Most fire helmets had leather frontpieces, but frontpieces could also be made of metal, especially on presentation helmets or those worn in parades.
This leather frontpiece was manufactured by Cairns & Brother of New York, New York around 1895. The black leather frontpiece has white lettering on a red background that reads “ENTERPRISE/HOSE/1.” There is a red banner at the bottom of the frontpiece with missing letters.
The frontpiece (also known as shield or badge) of firefighting helmets has been a distinctive part of the American firefighter’s helmet since it was developed by Henry Gratacap in the early 19th century. These frontpieces displayed a variety of information. The fire company's name and number appeared, often alongside the city or town where it was based. The frontpiece could also include the owner's initials and rank. Most fire helmets had leather frontpieces, but frontpieces could also be made of metal, especially on presentation helmets or those worn in parades.
This metal frontpiece dates to the late 19th century. The frontpiece design features a variety of firefighting paraphernalia including two hydrants with protruding hoses whose nozzles cross at the top of the frontpiece, a lamp and axe behind the nozzles. A crossed hook and ladder is at the bottom of the piece. A large number “1” is in the center of the frontpiece, with a crossed hook and ladder behind it.
The frontpiece (also known as shield or badge) of firefighting helmets has been a distinctive part of the American firefighter’s helmet since it was developed by Henry Gratacap in the early 19th century. These frontpieces displayed a variety of information. The fire company's name and number appeared, often alongside the city or town where it was based. The frontpiece could also include the owner's initials and rank. Most fire helmets had leather frontpieces, but frontpieces could also be made of metal, especially on presentation helmets or those worn in parades.
This black leather frontpiece dates to the second half of the 19th century. It has raised golden leather lettering that reads “YANKEE/5/WORCHESTER.” The faded painted gold word “EX” can be seen above the number “5.” Yankee Engine Company No. 5 operated in Worchester, Massachusetts.
The frontpiece (also known as shield or badge) of firefighting helmets has been a distinctive part of the American firefighter’s helmet since it was developed by Henry Gratacap in the early 19th century. These frontpieces displayed a variety of information. The fire company's name and number appeared, often alongside the city or town where it was based. The frontpiece could also include the owner's initials and rank. Most fire helmets had leather frontpieces, but frontpieces could also be made of metal, especially on presentation helmets or those worn in parades.
This leather frontpiece was made by Cairns & Brother of New York, New York during the 19th century. The frontpiece is made of brown leather, with stitched red leather lettering on a white background that reads “NEPTUNE/HOSE/2.”
The frontpiece (also known as shield or badge) of firefighting helmets has been a distinctive part of the American firefighter’s helmet since it was developed by Henry Gratacap in the early 19th century. These frontpieces displayed a variety of information. The fire company's name and number appeared, often alongside the city or town where it was based. The frontpiece could also include the owner's initials and rank. Most fire helmets had leather frontpieces, but frontpieces could also be made of metal, especially on presentation helmets or those worn in parades.
This leather helmet frontpiece was made around 1860-1870. The white leather frontpiece has the text “GOODWILL” in white leather letters on a red banner at the top. The center of the frontpiece has the white leather number “3” on a blue background. At the bottom of the frontpiece is a red banner that originally read “MDS,” but the letters are now missing.
The frontpiece (also known as shield or badge) of firefighting helmets has been a distinctive part of the American firefighter’s helmet since it was developed by Henry Gratacap in the early 19th century. These frontpieces displayed a variety of information. The fire company's name and number appeared, often alongside the city or town where it was based. The frontpiece could also include the owner's initials and rank. Most fire helmets had leather frontpieces, but frontpieces could also be made of metal, especially on presentation helmets or those worn in parades.
This leather frontpiece was made in the 19th century. The white leather frontpiece has decorative etching radiating from a black star in the center of the piece. Two red banners have raised white leather lettering that reads “ENGINEER/CHARLESTOWN.” A black cartouche at the bottom of the piece has the raised white leather initials “WFD” inside.
The frontpiece (also known as shield or badge) of firefighting helmets has been a distinctive part of the American firefighter’s helmet since it was developed by Henry Gratacap in the early 19th century. These frontpieces displayed a variety of information. The fire company's name and number appeared, often alongside the city or town where it was based. The frontpiece could also include the owner's initials and rank. Most fire helmets had leather frontpieces, but frontpieces could also be made of metal, especially on presentation helmets or those worn in parades.
This metal frontpiece was made during the 19th century. The frontpiece has two red-painted metal banners that read “ASST FOREMAN/HOSE” in brass lettering, with a large brass number “2” in the center. Metal frontpieces were often used in parades or special occasions, rather than in everyday use.
The frontpiece (also known as shield or badge) of firefighting helmets has been a distinctive part of the American firefighter’s helmet since it was developed by Henry Gratacap in the early 19th century. These frontpieces displayed a variety of information. The fire company's name and number appeared, often alongside the city or town where it was based. The frontpiece could also include the owner's initials and rank. Most fire helmets had leather frontpieces, but frontpieces could also be made of metal, especially on presentation helmets or those worn in parades.
This leather frontpiece was made around 1865. The frontpiece is painted black with a thin red line around the border. The rest of the frontpiece is painted with a red banner that reads “EXCELSIOR” in gold. Beneath that is a white bucket with a black number “1” in the center. At the bottom of the frontpiece is a blue banner with the initials “J.W.M.” painted in white.
The frontpiece (also known as shield or badge) of firefighting helmets has been a distinctive part of the American firefighter’s helmet since it was developed by Henry Gratacap in the early 19th century. These frontpieces displayed a variety of information. The fire company's name and number appeared, often alongside the city or town where it was based. The frontpiece could also include the owner's initials and rank. Most fire helmets had leather frontpieces, but frontpieces could also be made of metal, especially on presentation helmets or those worn in parades.
This patent leather frontpiece was made by Cairns & Brother of New York, New York in the mid-20th century. The red frontpiece has two recessed cartouches at the top and bottom of the piece. The cartouches read “LADDER/21” in white paint. The number “13” in white leather stitched into the center of the frontpiece.
The frontpiece (also known as shield or badge) of firefighting helmets has been a distinctive part of the American firefighter’s helmet since it was developed by Henry Gratacap in the early 19th century. These frontpieces displayed a variety of information. The fire company's name and number appeared, often alongside the city or town where it was based. The frontpiece could also include the owner's initials and rank. Most fire helmets had leather frontpieces, but frontpieces could also be made of metal, especially on presentation helmets or those worn in parades.
This leather frontpiece was made by Joseph Cogan of Boston, Massachusetts between 1865 and 1871. The white frontpiece has white leather letters on red banners that read “NORTHERN/LIBERTY.” A large white number “8” is on a red background, encircled by a black hose with two nozzles.
The frontpiece (also known as shield or badge) of firefighting helmets has been a distinctive part of the American firefighter’s helmet since it was developed by Henry Gratacap in the early 19th century. These frontpieces displayed a variety of information. The fire company's name and number appeared, often alongside the city or town where it was based. The frontpiece could also include the owner's initials and rank. Most fire helmets had leather frontpieces, but frontpieces could also be made of metal, especially on presentation helmets or those worn in parades.
This red leather frontpiece was probably made during the 20th century. The frontpiece has a white leather trim around the border, with raised white leather letters on a black banner that read “HOPE HOSE.” A black shield below the banner has a raised white leather number “1” in the center.
The frontpiece (also known as shield or badge) of firefighting helmets has been a distinctive part of the American firefighter’s helmet since it was developed by Henry Gratacap in the early 19th century. These frontpieces displayed a variety of information. The fire company's name and number appeared, often alongside the city or town where it was based. The frontpiece could also include the owner's initials and rank. Most fire helmets had leather frontpieces, but frontpieces could also be made of metal, especially on presentation helmets or those worn in parades.
This leather frontpiece was made around 1873. The brown frontpiece had gold lettering that reads “John S. Damrell/11/JMN.” The Engine Company No. 11 in the Boston Fire Department was named after former Boston Fire Department Chief John S. Damrell from 1869-1873. The initials “JMN” likely referred to Josiah M. Nottage, a hoseman with the Engine Company No. 11 who served from 1873 until 1894.
The frontpiece (also known as shield or badge) of firefighting helmets has been a distinctive part of the American firefighter’s helmet since it was developed by Henry Gratacap in the early 19th century. These frontpieces displayed a variety of information. The fire company's name and number appeared, often alongside the city or town where it was based. The frontpiece could also include the owner's initials and rank. Most fire helmets had leather frontpieces, but frontpieces could also be made of metal, especially on presentation helmets or those worn in parades.
This leather frontpiece was made during the late 19th century. The frontpiece has tan leather lettering on black banners that reads “PRESIDENT/CHARLESTOWN/VETERAN” with a red star under the word “PRESIDENT.” The word “VETERAN” indicates that the owner was likely the president of the Volunteer Veteran Fireman's Association of Charlestown, Massachusetts, founded in 1884.