VINTAGE FDNY WAR YEAR LIDS

Joined
Mar 3, 2007
Messages
185
68jk09 said:
^^^^ 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
 
Joined
Jul 22, 2009
Messages
657
JohnnyGage said:
In case you didn't know about "fire helmet fashion" (I sure didn't), here is a chart to help you with your design!
Screenshot-2019-05-03-07-25-27-1.png


If this is a "Bronx Bend".....
Screenshot-2019-05-03-07-27-46-1.png

Then what is this??
Screenshot-2019-05-03-07-26-57-1.png

Hopefully these helmets weren't actually on someone's head when they were getting crushed, incinerated and distorted... LOL
 
Joined
Apr 23, 2018
Messages
1,052
^^^^^^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$$"...

Screenshot-2019-05-06-07-40-30-1.png

Screenshot-2019-05-06-07-48-27-1.png
 
Joined
Jul 22, 2009
Messages
657
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.
 
Joined
Apr 23, 2018
Messages
1,052
These metal pots were worn during the Washington DC "War Years", then they switched to yellow plastic MSA.

Screenshot-2019-05-07-22-23-29-1.png

Screenshot-2019-05-10-16-45-24-1.png
 
Joined
Jul 10, 2010
Messages
105
Lebby said:
memory master said:
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
 
Joined
Apr 23, 2018
Messages
1,052
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

Screenshot-2019-05-08-07-44-16-1.png

Screenshot-2019-05-08-07-40-07-1.png

Screenshot-2019-05-16-15-22-03-1.png
 
Joined
Aug 25, 2009
Messages
28,196
JohnnyGage said:
In case you didn't know about "fire helmet fashion" (I sure didn't), here is a chart to help you with your design!
Screenshot-2019-05-03-07-25-27-1.png


If this is a "Bronx Bend".....
Screenshot-2019-05-03-07-27-46-1.png

Then what is this??
Screenshot-2019-05-03-07-26-57-1.png


"Da Bronx" bend photo was taken in "Da Bronx" & the member retired as a DC
 
Joined
Apr 23, 2018
Messages
1,052
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.

Screenshot-2019-05-13-22-10-05-1.png


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

Screenshot-2019-05-13-22-13-16-1.png
 
Joined
Apr 23, 2018
Messages
1,052
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.

Screenshot-2019-05-16-14-29-50-1.png


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.

Screenshot-2019-05-16-14-29-38-1.png

Various assignment logos appeared on the CD lids.

Screenshot-2019-05-15-18-20-43-1.png


 
Joined
Apr 23, 2018
Messages
1,052
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.

Screenshot-2019-05-14-11-26-09-1.png


Generic front piece.

Screenshot-2019-05-16-15-17-19-1.png
 

mack

Administrator
Joined
Aug 8, 2009
Messages
13,431
Providence Fire Department - Special Hazards 1 (heavy rescue)

   

   

   
 

mack

Administrator
Joined
Aug 8, 2009
Messages
13,431
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
 
Top