Collections Search Results
Your search found 87 records from all Smithsonian Institution collections.
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- Description (Brief)
- 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 the mid-20th century. The black frontpiece has two recessed banners at the top and bottom. Stitching can be seen surrounding the banners and the edge. The upper recessed banner reads “ENGINE” in white paint; the lower recessed banner has the number “13” in white paint. The raised white leather number “73” is stitched in to the center of the frontpiece.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- unknown
- maker
- Cairns & Brother
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.1507
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.1507
-
- Description (Brief)
- 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 two red banners at its top with raised white leather letting that reads “FRANKLIN/HOSE.” A large recessed white number “3” is in the center of the frontpiece, with white leather lettering below that originally read “BOSTON,” but some of the letters are now missing.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.1468
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.1348
-
- Description (Brief)
- 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.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 19th century
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.1448
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.1448
-
- Description (Brief)
- 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 frontpiece likely was once white but is now cracked and light brown in color. The frontpiece has a dark brown banner at the top and bottom with light brown raised leather lettering that reads “PHOENIX/ENGINE.” A dark brown recessed number “8” is in the center of the frontpiece.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 19th century
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.1477
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.1477
-
- Description (Brief)
- 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.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- unknown
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.1487
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.1487
-
- Description (Brief)
- 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 around 1939. The black frontpiece of Ladder 7 of the Philadelphia Fire Department has an upper and lower banner with a white background. The banners read “2461/PFD” in painted red letters. A red leather number “7” is stitched in the center of the piece, with a red leather hook and ladder crossed behind it.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1939
- maker
- Cairns & Brother
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.1498
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.1498
-
- Description (Brief)
- 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 frontpiece was made during the early 20th century. At the top of the red leather frontpiece are two dark brown banners with white leather lettering that reads “McLEAN/ENGINE.” A large white leather “3” is in the center of the piece, below it is a recessed cartouche with a dark brown background. White leather initials “HPS” originally were in the cartouche, but the “H” is missing a stem, and the “P” is completely absent.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- early 20th century
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.1492
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.1492
-
- Description (Brief)
- 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 has white lettering on black banners that reads "SECRETARY/CHARLESTOWN/VETERAN.” A recessed red star is between "SECRETARY" and "CHARLESTOWN.”
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.1426
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.1426
-
- Description (Brief)
- 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 frontpiece has two dark brown banners at the top with raised brown leather lettering that reads “RED JACKET/HOSE” but the “C” is missing. A large recessed white number “1” is in the center of the frontpiece, and there is a cartouche at the bottom with a raised white leather letter “H.” Two other initials originally preceded the “H” but are now missing. The Red Jacket Hose Company took its name from the red jackets its members wore during service, which was a popular style employed by companies in Boston, Philadelphia, Illinois, and Iowa.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 19th century
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.1479
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.1479
-
- Description (Brief)
- 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 soiled or sooty leather frontpiece was made during the 19th century. The frontpiece reads “FRIENDSHIP/1/FIRE CO/EU” in metal embedded into the leather. The metal lettering is unusual for frontpieces, and may point to it being used in parades or special occasions rather than everyday use.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 19th century
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.1473
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.1473
-
- Description (Brief)
- 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 around 1885. The frontpiece has "SNOW DRIFT" in white letters in a banner with a red background at top. A recessed white star is below the top banner. A white "2" with a crossed hook and ladder behind it is at the center. A cut out banner with the black initials "CWW" on a white background is at the bottom of the frontpiece. The initials "CWW" are likely the owner’s initials.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1885
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.1424
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.1424
-
- Description (Brief)
- 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 has red banners with raised white leather letters that reads “JT HALLAHAN/KINGSTON/JO.”A large recessed black number “5” is in the center of the piece.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.1467
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.1467
-
- Description (Brief)
- 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.”
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 19th century
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.1456
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.1456
-
- Description (Brief)
- 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 19th century. The leather frontpiece reads “STEAMER/1/NFD.” The frontpiece has been blackened by an unknown process, but white letters and a red background can be seen in certain places.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- unknown
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.1440
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.1440
-
- Description (Brief)
- 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. Two brown banners are at the top and bottom of the piece. The banner has white leather lettering that reads “VETERAN/PHILADELPHIA.” A transfer painted image of a Philadelphia-style end stroke hand pumped fire engine is at the center of the frontpiece. This piece was likely used by a member of the Veteran Firemen’s Association of Philadelphia, an association created in 1887 to maintain the camaraderie of the volunteer fire department after members had retired, or after the introduction of paid companies put an end to the volunteer system.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- unknown
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.1493
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.1493
-
- Description (Brief)
- 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 1880-1885. The brown frontpiece has a red banner at the top with raised white leather letters that originally read “FRIENDSHIP” but several of the letters are missing. Below the banner is a recessed white star and the recessed white Roman numerals “XII.” An empty cartouche with green background may have originally contained initials.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1880-1885
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.1461
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.1461
-
- Description (Brief)
- 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 raised golden leather letters that reads “FIREMAN/HOWARD/1/CFD.”
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.1455
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.1455
-
- Description (Brief)
- 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 tan leather frontpiece has two recessed red banners at the top that reads “AMER[I]CA/HOSE” in tan leather letters. In the center of the frontpiece is a recessed number “2” that is painted black. A recessed cartouche with a red background is at the bottom of the frontpiece, which likely held initials that are now missing.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.1874
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.1874
-
- Description (Brief)
- 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 19th century. The frontpiece has two banners at the top with raised tan leather letters that reads “WASHINGTON/HOSE.” The text is flanked by stars and there is decorative stitching throughout. A large recessed tan number “3” is at the center of the piece. At the bottom, a tan recessed cartouche has the raised dark brown leather initials “PJD” inside.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- unknown
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.1484
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.1484
-
- Description (Brief)
- 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.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1860-1870
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.1433
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.1433
