VINTAGE FDNY WAR YEAR LIDS
- Thread starter JohnnyGage
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I noticed this FDNY L 20 helmet on e-bay for sale. Although it is most likely from the 60’s It got me thinking about L 20 back in the day before the arson plague “War Years'' infected the Bronx. This area in lower Manhattan known today as SOHO was named Hell’s Hundred Acres by then Fire Commissioner Cavanaugh due to the numerous firefighters that had been killed or seriously injured in the line of duty over numerous decades in frequent multiple alarm fires and building collapses. L 20 was the hot spot during that time, it was where the action was, the hotbed of fire activity in the many industrial sweatshops and small factories. L 20 was the first due ladder to the horrific Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire.
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I have been informed that the above L 20 helmet once belonged to Fr. James McDonnell who died Line of Duty Oct 1985 after suffering severe burns from a fire as Captain of L 42. He pushed two firefighters out of the way as a ceiling collapsed in a fire across the street from the firehouse, he was caught in the flaming debris sufering burns to 65% of his body. I remember visiting him at the burn center before he died. May he rest with eternal peace.
Thank you Dan for telling us about the helmet worn by Capt James McDonnell.
I, as well as others, remember when that happened.
Every helmet that you have posted here has a story to tell. Captain McDonnell's helmet is a story of a FDNY Member that gave his life to save the lives of his Brother FDNY Firefighters.
I, as well as others, remember when that happened.
Every helmet that you have posted here has a story to tell. Captain McDonnell's helmet is a story of a FDNY Member that gave his life to save the lives of his Brother FDNY Firefighters.
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They say every helmet has a story to tell. Take a look at some/many of these helmets and you can see by their shapes they have been through the wringer. If these helmets could talk, what stories they could tell. You could always tell what a guy was like by the shape of his helmet.
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UPDATE ON L 20 HELMET; I was just advised that the members of L 20 purchased the helmet and it is on it's way back home to "Hells Hundred Acres" to live forever!
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So true.
Awesome news...gr8 to hear.
GREAT NEWS DAN and Thanks for letting us all know.
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A few days ago this fire helmet was listed on e-bay for $1000. The frontpiece badge number is 5551 and in another photo of the helmet inside revealed the partial name of Fr. J. McDon…
I posted the helmet on this thread and wondered about the story behind this helmet, L 20’s area was known as “Hell's Hundred Acres” before the South Bronx War Years, many civilians and firefighters died in this small remote area now known as SOHO. L 20 was also the first due truck to the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911, the most deadliest fire at the time in NYC history.
The helmet belonged to Fireman James McDonnell who made the supreme sacrifice as a covering Captain in L 42, 1985. Inside the apartment on fire, the ceiling was about to collapse, he pushed two firefighters out of harm's way, but he was trapped. He died days later suffering over 65% burns to his body. A true hero.
After I posted a photo of the helmet, a Brother from L 20 contacted his Boss and they were able to secure the helmet, contact the family member and all parties decided to bring it back home to Lafayette Street where it will live forever.
THUMBS UP for the spirit and tradition of this fine company!
I posted the helmet on this thread and wondered about the story behind this helmet, L 20’s area was known as “Hell's Hundred Acres” before the South Bronx War Years, many civilians and firefighters died in this small remote area now known as SOHO. L 20 was also the first due truck to the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911, the most deadliest fire at the time in NYC history.
The helmet belonged to Fireman James McDonnell who made the supreme sacrifice as a covering Captain in L 42, 1985. Inside the apartment on fire, the ceiling was about to collapse, he pushed two firefighters out of harm's way, but he was trapped. He died days later suffering over 65% burns to his body. A true hero.
After I posted a photo of the helmet, a Brother from L 20 contacted his Boss and they were able to secure the helmet, contact the family member and all parties decided to bring it back home to Lafayette Street where it will live forever.
THUMBS UP for the spirit and tradition of this fine company!
Great story Dan. Thank you for a job well done and also to the members of FDNYs Ladder 20.
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Just for Dan . . . from an FDNY post on Facebook . . .
Flashback Friday – The FDNY firefighter’s helmet has a long tradition. First created by Jacobus Turck around 1740, wearing one at fires became required by the City starting in 1762. Its basic design has not changed much in over 280 years. Most followers of the FDNY recall the leather helmets worn by firefighters made by only a handful of local manufacturers. For a long period of time they were form-fitted to the wearers head. With the evolution of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, FDNY eventually saw a move to a helmet made of composite material, with new safety features. “Leather Forever” was the cry of traditionalists, but to no avail, until recently that is when leather helmets have been seen making a new appearance.
But today’s Flashback is about another iteration of the firefighter’s helmet that many FDNY fans and buffs are unaware of…an aluminum helmet. Although exact dates are difficult to pin down, there is photographic evidence of these being worn in the mid-1910’s into, perhaps, the 1920’s. The NYC Fire Museum is fortunate to have several aluminum FDNY helmets in the collection, including two recently donated. They are the ones shown below from Engine Company 73 and Battalion 47.
Flashback Friday – The FDNY firefighter’s helmet has a long tradition. First created by Jacobus Turck around 1740, wearing one at fires became required by the City starting in 1762. Its basic design has not changed much in over 280 years. Most followers of the FDNY recall the leather helmets worn by firefighters made by only a handful of local manufacturers. For a long period of time they were form-fitted to the wearers head. With the evolution of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, FDNY eventually saw a move to a helmet made of composite material, with new safety features. “Leather Forever” was the cry of traditionalists, but to no avail, until recently that is when leather helmets have been seen making a new appearance.
But today’s Flashback is about another iteration of the firefighter’s helmet that many FDNY fans and buffs are unaware of…an aluminum helmet. Although exact dates are difficult to pin down, there is photographic evidence of these being worn in the mid-1910’s into, perhaps, the 1920’s. The NYC Fire Museum is fortunate to have several aluminum FDNY helmets in the collection, including two recently donated. They are the ones shown below from Engine Company 73 and Battalion 47.
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Very interesting trivia Ray that FDNY used these aluminum pots, thanks for sharing!
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Bunch of old relic FDNY frontpieces;
Gr8 pic
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More FDNY frontpice relics:
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NOTE... the old LAD*114 straight Front is very rare as it is a Loguidice Front Piece (notice the logo on the back brass band) .... they were the forerunner of Cairns...... https://www.ebay.com/itm/2549494642...iscOrganicBase&_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982
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Engine 2 frontpiece with others
Gr8 pics & history brother.