Fire Helmet, "Isaiah Case Hook & Ladder Company No. 6"

Cairns & Brother · 1898-1911

This leather fire helmet was made by Cairns & Brother of New York, New York during the late 19th to early 20th century. This helmet resembles a pith helmet, deviating from the style of the standard fire helmets with elongated rear brim, frontpiece, and metal frontpiece holder. The helmet is painted white with a braided rope across the visor attached to buttons on both sides of the helmet that bear the initials “FD.” The helmet’s elaborate metal frontpiece bears the Roman numerals “VI,” two hexagonal fire hydrants with hoses, an axe, pole lantern, hook, and ladder. According to labels and marks inside the hat, the hat belonged to “Isaiah Case Hook & Ladder Company No. 6,” which was founded in Newark, New Jersey, in 1865.