Cairns N5A New Yorker Fire Helmet

In 1869, Henry T. Gratacap, who many consider to be father of the American fire helmet, sold his fire fighter helmet business to the Cairns brothers, Jasper and Henry, creating Cairns and Brother. They had partnered with Gratacap around 1840 to produce the brass finials for his helmets. The leather fire helmet business remained a core part of their fire equipment supply business as they grew over the years, with them opening three factories in New York City and one in New Jersey. Throughout the decades, the company began to produce many updated versions of the firefighter helmet, including the very recognizable N5A that was introduced in 1986. Cairns was purchased by Mine Safety Appliance Co. (MSA) in 2000, and the firm continues to produce helmets under the Cairns brand.

This Cairns N5A New Yorker Fire Helmet on display was used by an Assistant Chief (white coloring quickly signifying a high level officer). The helmet's outer shell is made of leather which provides long-lasting durability and resistance to heat and impact. The crown of the helmet offers protection against falling debris at the back of the neck. The helmet includes a formed brass front-piece holder to support a standard 6-inch fire department identification shield. A neat part of all Cairns helmet is that each helmet is individually handcrafted, shaped, stitched, and trimmed.

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