Milwaukee Fire Department Photo

Recently snagged this one on the net. The seller listed this as a police photo CDV since there was a partial badge visible without a fancy uniform. Notice the unusual hat and the fact that this is a Milwaukee photographer’s work? That plus the shape of the badge makes this a Milwaukee Fireman from about 1874. In 1874 the Milwaukee Fire Department began wearing actual uniforms before which this style hat and jacket was their normal attire. Also the photographer Charles Loops first set up his Milwaukee studio in 1874. Not too long there after the MFD also changed their badges to the current Phoenix top badge from the old shield shaped badge seen on this photo. Now if only I can get my hands on one of those type 1 badges I’d be a really happy camper.