Object Details
- unknown
- Description
- This shield-shaped metal fire badge belonged to a member of the Allentown Fire Department of Allentown, Pennsylvania with badge number 632. The silver-plated badge has a stippled background with the raised text “ALLENTOWN/FIRE/DEPARTMENT.” A brass number “632” is in the center of the badge. The Allentown Fire Department was founded in 1870 from a collection of previously existing volunteer companies.
- Metal firefighter’s badges were a part of the firefighter’s uniform since volunteer companies began to proliferate in the early 19th century. As volunteer companies gave way to municipal fire departments during the mid–19th century, these badges became mandated by uniform codes. Badges served as official identification at fire scenes, as access to derelict buildings by unscrupulous citizens could result in looting. Fire badges came in a variety of shapes, most notably circular, shield–shaped, or the Maltese cross. While shield–shaped badges were often worn on the chest, circular and cross-shaped badges can be seen on jacket lapels or soft caps. Badges usually detailed the company’s name, number and department, and were often decorated with various symbols of the profession such as hose carriages, hand–pumped engines, hoses, trumpets, helmets, hooks, and ladders. For paid municipal companies, many badges also featured the badge number of the wearer.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Credit Line
- Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
- 19th century
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.1288
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.1288
- Object Name
- badge, fireman's
- Physical Description
- metal (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 1 3/8 in x 1 7/8 in; 3.4925 cm x 4.7625 cm
- place made
- United States
- See more items in
- Home and Community Life: Fire Fighting and Law Enforcement
- Work
- Firefighting Collection
- Fire Badges
- National Museum of American History
- Record ID
- nmah_1380608
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ad-252e-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
