VINTAGE FDNY WAR YEAR LIDS

[ladder197]

^^^^ Last picture ...a Scott Bottle Flip ?

I think the helmet fashionistas call that a Harrisburg bend. Do any of you senior men know the history behind the Bronx bend? Bending helmets, and adding ?flair? to the helmet has become more about fashion then functionality. I was teaching last week and noticed a recruit with a ?job town? sticker on his helmet. Lol

 

[69 METS]

In case you didn't know about "fire helmet fashion" (I sure didn't), here is a chart to help you with your design!



If this is a "Bronx Bend".....


Then what is this??

Hopefully these helmets weren't actually on someone's head when they were getting crushed, incinerated and distorted... LOL

 

[JohnnyGage]

^^^^^^Garrett, I have to agree...I would say to me' self, how in tarnation did that Brother live through something that hellacious to distort or fry a helmet to such degree?...

As a fire instructor I was conducting a live burn in PA for couple of volunteer fire departments. I did a quick recon of the building inside before deploying the troops...I found a new chief  with his head positioned over a barrel of fire toasting his lid, melting his bourke eye shields... Because he had his eyes closed to the heat effect he did not see me standing there. I gave a "ahem...care to join the group"...the sheepish look I got from him during the training session was well worth the price.

Finally, a colleague commented on the "bottle flip, Harrisburg bend" helmet...called it the "Ducks A$$"...

 

[69 METS]

LOL, in many cases the lid tells a lot about the wearer for sure ... and not in the way the wearer intended it to be told.

Keep the great stories coming brother, I've enjoyed each one.

 

[JohnnyGage]

These metal pots were worn during the Washington DC "War Years", then they switched to yellow plastic MSA.

 

[Bob Dobalina]

Judging by the front piece I would say this is from the Queens 326 and not going back to when the company was on Neptune Avenue in Brooklyn. Back then there were no company number inserts.

Anyone know when the Department switched to inserts?

1959

 

[Lebby]

Did Privates wear white lids when they wore tin?

 

[JohnnyGage]

The DCFD firefighter painted their helmets black for a period, officers white...then they did not paint their helmets at all...(back then the DCFD was known as FDDC)... rank was displayed on the front piece. Interesting to note, the DCFD employs the rank of Sergeant. The Sergeant "floats" and fills in when a Lieutenant or Captain is off. Otherwise he  is assigned to a truck company and is part of the forcible entry team. His helmet designation instead of a number or chevrons is a single Star in the middle. Look closely, you'll notice a couple of Sgts in the front row

 

[mikeindabronx]

In case you didn't know about "fire helmet fashion" (I sure didn't), here is a chart to help you with your design!



If this is a "Bronx Bend".....


Then what is this??

"Da Bronx" bend photo was taken in "Da Bronx" & the member retired as a DC

 

[8060rock]

Looks like it might be Tom Neary

 

[mikeindabronx]

Looks like it might be Tom Neary

Mike H

 

[JohnnyGage]

Firefighters in Barstow CA paid tribute to the Brothers who were murdered on 9/11 by building a memorial in the form of a large helmet.




Pennsylvania National Museum displays 343 collected helmets remembering the 343 Brothers that died on 9/11

 

[mack]

 

[JohnnyGage]

During the WW II "War Years" there were over 10 million volunteers for Civil Defense. Below is a vintage NYC Fire fighter CD helmet. Volunteers were trained in firefighting, decontmination and first aid.




Even the NYPD had volunters to keep an eye out on sabotage, especially tunnels and bridges. This NYPD CD helmet is from the 11th Pct.



Various assignment logos appeared on the CD lids.

 

[JohnnyGage]

Collection of fire helmets from Chicago area headed for the big quartermaster in the sky.

 

[JohnnyGage]

DCFD Sergeants frontpiece with chevrons. Most Sgt's use the traditional single star. The DCFD uses a generic frontpiece, company identification is a decal stuck to the sides of the helmet. Members can design and use their own frontpiece either on the dept issued fire helmet, or  leather New Yorker helmet... there are many hodge-podge front piece designs.




Generic front piece.

 

[JohnnyGage]

101 different personalized DCFD frontpieces, here are a few...

 

[JohnnyGage]

Unusual "Cartoon" frontpieces...(I don't get it...)

 

[mack]

Providence Fire Department - Special Hazards 1 (heavy rescue)

   

   

   

 

[mack]

Boston Fire Department - Rescue 2









Note - helmet also worn by member's father (43 years BFD - also R 2) - Helmet stolen from rig last January while R 2 operating in water at vehicle into river