Post-Medieval — 1670-1700
Helmet, fire fighter's helmet
This is a rare example of a genuine leather fireman's helmet from the late 1600s. It has a large flap at the back to protect the wearer's neck and is padded inside. Painted on it in white are remains of initials 'BB' and 'GB', probably indicating the parishes of St Botolph and St George Billingsgate (these parishes were united by the Rebuilding Act of 1670). The helmet would have been part of the fire-fighting equipment kept at parish churches for local people to use in emergencies.
After the Great Fire of London extra equipment was ordered. New fire regulations split the City into four areas. Each was to have 800 buckets, 50 ladders, 24 pickaxes and 40 shovels and as many brass fire squirts so that every parish would have two each.
- Category:
- Post-Medieval
- Object ID:
- 37.150
- Object name:
- helmet, fire fighter's helmet
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- —
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- 1670-1700
- Material:
leather
- Measurements/duration:
- H 195 mm, L 480 mm, W 415 mm (max) (overall)
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.