Auction details
9:00 AM PT - Feb 20th, 2012
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Helmet, Leather, Fire, Early 20th C, Cairns NY.
Early 20th century all leather fire department helmet from the maker Cairns & Bro, NY. Condition is very good, with original brass fittings intact and the initials of "CJL" upon the rear of helmet. Interior brass fitting at top of helmet reads "Cairns & Bros, New York, Ventilated Hat" Provenance: Miki and James J. Mangan III of Fairfield, CT. Size: L. 10" x W. 13.5" x H. 11" x D. 6.25 Weight: 1lb 6oz Condition: very good ***************************************Like most good things, Cairns got its start with very humble beginnings. The founder, H.T. Gratacap, had carved a niche in an innovative ocean transit luggage market, making his luggage from specially treated leather so it would offer superior durability and withstand wetness without rotting. Being a volunteer Firefighter in New York City, he and his compatriots became aware of the need to provide Firefighters with better head protection. Gratacap rose to the need by inventing the first American fire helmet in 1836. That helmet was named the New Yorker, and although being re-engineered many times through out it’s life, it is still produced today. Shortly after this, two brothers named Cairns, who were operating a Metal Badge, Button, and Insignia business in New York, came up with the idea to mount an identification badge to the front of Gratacap’s helmets. Hence the first front piece and holder. The match was made, and the companies cooperated until Gratacap retired in the mid 1850s, and the Cairns & Brother legacy began. At this time, the business was known for the manufacture of a rigid head protection device made out of leather and very ornate helmet identification shields known today as front pieces. Not inclined to rest on their laurels, the Cairns brothers and their nephews began to expand the product lines to encompass nearly all of the Firefighters' contemporary equipment needs. Through the late 1800's, the company extended its line to meet all fire department equipment needs except for trucks and ladders. By the turn of the century, this line included a full line of head protection devices, uniforms, badges, belts, buckles, fire record books, protective clothing, some respiratory devices and other equipment like tools, axes, hose, lamps and torches. By 1890, the product lines were so diversified and so carefully tuned to the Firefighters' needs that the little New York based company, employing all of about 12 people, was honored at the World's Fair with two Silver Metals for product line and quality. This market knowledge, quality and dedication to engineering was then and is still now what Cairns strives for. ImagesClick on thumbnails to see larger images:
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