Before Cairns - Henry T. Gratacap

Henry T. Gratacap, who many consider the father of the American fire helmet. Gratacap was an apprentice to William Hinton, who was a leather artisan and would also go on to make fire helmets. In 1836, Gratacap established his own business at 329 Broadway in New York. His company begin “making luggage for overseas voyages with specially treated leather for durability.” Gratacap was also a volunteer fireman with New York Fire Department and “in 1858 was foreman of the Columbian (Fire) Company.” He was well respected for his durable leather luggage that stood up to water and heavy use. Taking his artisan expertise and his real-world experience in fighting fires, he set out to design a true fire helmet that would protect the fireman and stand up to the fire environment. The Smithsonian American History Museum describes Gratacap’s creation as: A specially treated leather helmet with a segmented “comb” design led to unparalleled durability and strength. The elongated rear brim (also known as a duckbill or beavertail) and front piece were 19th-century innovations that remain the most identifiable feature of firefighters’ helmets. The body of the helmet was primarily designed to deflect falling debris, the rear brim prevented water from running down firefighters’ backs, and their sturdy crowns could aid, if necessary, in breaking windows.

The “comb” was a way to add strength to the helmet. A comb is basically a ridge formed on the outside of the helmet where two pieces come together and are sewn. This is how the rounded cone shape of the helmet crown is made with multiple pieces of shaped leather. Most common were four and eight comb helmets. So a construction feature became a valued design feature. Manufacturers also molded into the leather additional combs or ridges for shape, strength, or artistic design. In Duchesne’s book, Fireman’s Headgear in America 1658-1918, he reports that presentation helmets could have 148 to 180 combs.

Gratacap’s eight comb helmet with an elongated rear brim became known as the “New Yorker” style fire helmet. It was adopted by the New York Fire Department sometime in the 1800s, though a specific date was not identified. The volunteer New York Fire Department was organized in 1731 and lasted until 1865 when it was disbanded and a career department took over fire protection responsibilities.

Gratacap was also the first to develop the stitched or raised frontispiece and add a “finial” figure or “front holder” on the top front of the helmet to hold the top of the shield. The first finials were made of leather and later he teamed with the Cairns Company to produce brass finials that were more durable in holding the shield.

The Gratacap helmets can be identified by a number of accouterments or trim options. The front and side brim could be embossed or stamped with various vine patterns or floral motifs. The rear brim usually bore a complex design with “H.T. Gratacap” in the center and “New York” under it. Another variation included a date, all embossed within a horizontal oval. Of course due to Gratacap’s helmet popularity, his design and embossed embellishments were soon copied by a number of helmet makers adding minor variations and their own company’s name.

Gratacap’s company at one point in time was producing an average of 100 fire helmets a week. The cost at the time of a regular helmet was four dollars, and a fancy presentation helmet could run $75.16

Gratacap’s unique and durable style fire helmet were instrumental in setting the fire helmet standard of the day. However, it didn’t take long for other leather artisans and companies to follow suit and get involved in making and selling leather fire helmets. There were over 20 businesses making or selling fire helmets in New York during the 1800s. Philadelphia and Boston were listed as having quite a few helmet makers.

In 1869 after approximately 33 years of running his own business, Gratacap sold it to Cairns.