United States Hose Company Cape

unknown · early 19th century

This oil cloth cape is painted brown with gold trim. The cape reads “UNITED STATES / HOSE” in gold at the center of the cape, with the initials “U” and “S” on each shoulder in gold. This cape may have belonged to a member of the United States Hose Company No. 14 of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that was formed in 1826 and operated until 1871, when the city brought in the paid municipal department.