CAPTAINS CAIRNS & BROTHERS FIRE HELMET!!!! captain newsham 1940's!!! | ||
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Posted 10 years ago
acline
(18 items)
This helmet is ultra rare and for its age in incredible condition! I think due to the fact a captain wasnt the one jumping into burning buildings. They were the shot callers. CHECK IT OUT! I would love some feedback. I don't think I will ever sell this one. Its just too cool!
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Not sure the helmet is rare, the helmet identifier indicates I believe, the volunteers that show up at fire scenes and provide relief inthe form of water, coffee, cookies etc to the crews working.Nice piece though!
No he was a real captain ... captain Josh L Newsham .. As you can see in tag inside helmet and on inside of brim
I saw a 1991 captains helmet sold on heritage auction for 562$. How much you think a captains helmet from this era would be ?
Acline: this helmet was produced by Cairns in the 1950s or early 1960s. This is based upon the model, the manufacturer's label, and mostly by the front shield: Cairns started printing the letters in the mid 1950s...prior to that they used cut-out letters made of leather.
As to the "RELIEF", this was most likely the name of the fire company and had nothing to do with the Captain's role or function. Relief (along with "Alert", "Phoenix", "Reliance") is one of the most common names for a fire company. In many areas, such as Pennsylvania, the fire companies adopted names that inspired confidence or related to the ethnic/cultural heritage of their members, rather than the name of the jurisdiction they served. It is extremely unlikely that the Captain's job function was relief related.
Finally, Captains and Lieutenants are front-line company supervisors in the fire service. What that means is they are inside working with and managing company- sized teams of firefighters (a company is a single piece of apparatus - truck in civilian speak - such as an engine, ladder, or rescue company). Captain are working on the inside and get their hands dirty with the rank & file. It is the chiefs and their deputies/assistants that remain outside the structure and perform command functions.
Hope this helps!
Hello!
Nice helmet. It is a Cairns 900P. Used in the very late 60-early 70's. Yours is a Relief Captain of the Philadelphia Fire Department. This is usually held by a newly promoted officer, that covers for the regular assigned officer for days off, vacations, etc. The company identifier (Engine or Truck number) would be inserted into the open space in the center.
Tough to find helmet/front as they are usually really beat up.
Enjoy!
Oh very cool helmet! I just bought one. Pulled up the pictures & the comments. I also have a 900P. Mine has a face shield. I was trying to figure out what years these were produced, I thought maybe mid-late sixties.