Extremely Rare Mid / Late 17th Century English Fire Helmet

Description

A very rare English leather fireman’s helmet, mid to late 17th century. Formed from moulded, hardened leather, this is an evocative survival of early firefighting equipment, of a type associated with the supplies kept by parishes for use in emergencies.

The helmet is fragile, with wear, damage and losses commensurate with its considerable age, and requires careful handling. A hole is present at the top of the dome, possibly intended to accommodate a plume added at a later date, although its purpose and date are unknown.

After the Great Fire of London, extra fire-fighting 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, together with sufficient brass fire squirts to provide two for every parish.

Two comparable examples are held by the London Museum, object number B739 and B762, dated 1650–1699.

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