JR owns a vintage (1910-1920) firefighter brass medal, composed of a pin bar in the shape of an elongated bugle. A miniature fireman’s helmet accurately rendered dangles from it. They termed the headgear that in the patent. Those public servants often received them as awards at Fireman’s Conventions, what they called them back then. Please forgive my non-PC use of the word FIREMAN. With that explanation the rest of this article calls these noble folks FIREFIGHTERS. The symbolism of the trade comes with deep meaning, and we find those symbols ALL contained in this three and a half by two inch medal.
The medal comes in the shape of an American Firefighter’s helmet, pioneered by a NYC luggage maker named Henry T. Gratacap. He developed a structural support and a process of treating leather that made symbolic and functional history. His helmet in the 1830’s came with a long rear brim, called a duckbill or beavertail, to prevent water down the firefighter’s back. A crest top surrounds a front shield with symbolic elements above the eyebrow. They built the crown of the helmet from six to eight “combs” or beams that formed a strong defense against falling debris, and added durability. Firefighters used the crest top in a pinch to break windows. By 1889 J. R. Hopkins patented The Fireman’s Helmet on July 18, 1889.
Patron Saint of Firefighters
This little medal features engravings of four emblems of the firefighter. In full sized badges and helmets, we often see these symbols inside a eight-sided cross called the Maltese Cross or sometimes St. Florian’s Cross. The Maltese cross dates from the period of the Crusades, when the Knights of St John defended themselves against firestorms and firebombs. Knights distinguished themselves by their red capes, which also function in a pinch to beat down a flame. Hence the tradition of firefighter’s RED. St Florian, a third to fourth century Christian Commander in the Roman Army, organized one of the first firefighting forces in Noricum. Martyred for his faith, he became the Patron Saint of Firefighters.
Paid Municipal Firefighters Relatively New
American firefighters volunteered from the Colonial days onward, until 1853 when Columbus, Ohio organized a paid force. British firefighting organized on a municipal level as early as 1824 when James Braidwood founded Edinburgh Fire Engine Establishment. The City of London asked Braidwell to setup a similar organization there. Braidwell died an interesting but tragic death. British firefighters, mainly recruits from the Royal Navy, expected their ration of rum while on duty. Braidwell died handing out flammable rum.
When grouped together in a badge on a helmet firefighters call the unique symbols “the Scramble.” The images on this little medal helmet symbolize preparedness. We find the ladder symbolizing our resourcefulness. Its nine rungs stand for connectiveness of the individual, we all originate in a process of nine months. We see a pike, once used by ancient firefighters to pull down masonry walls, a 19th century style firehose, and a bugle. Another elongated bugle acts as the pin bar that attached the medal to the lapel. The bugle represents leadership. Before loudspeakers or radios, the leader of the fire brigade joined his forces and directed them with a bugle. In some “scrambles” multiple bugles symbolize the rank of a firefighter, the more bugles, the more senior.
Early History of Firefighting NOT So Noble
Under Marcus Licinius Crassus 3rd century Rome formed a fire brigade that rushed to the scene. From there intense negotiation followed with the building’s owner as to the COST of the brigade. British firefighters, like American firefighters, volunteered, until the Great Fire of 1666. Fire insurance companies then issued special policies and badges. If you didn’t insure your building with a specific company, too bad.
No less than George Washington in Alexandria Virginia established the Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Company, and George also gave them their first Fire Engine. He acted as a volunteer as well. Benjamin Franklin helped establish the first fire department in Philadelphia in 1763, but on the whole fire brigades in both England and America were obligated to private insurance companies.
In Santa Barbara we LOVE our firefighters! Which makes the market for such a medal wide and active. This small trinket sells for $100 today.