Germany, Imperial. A Berlin Fire Brigade Helmet, by Georg C. Hansen

(Berlin Feuerwehrhelm). A well-preserved Berlin Fire Brigade helmet, constructed of a boiled and blackened leather shell. It is topped by a narrow gilded brass comb which extends from the crown to the reverse, where it meets a boiled and blackened leather neck guard. Riveted to the peak is an insignia consisting of a silvered brass plate in the form of a radiant starburst overlaid by a central raised Berlin coat of arms, in turn set within a ribbed border. The plate measures 11.5 cm (w) x 11.5 mm (h) overall. It is flanked on each side by flattened bronze discs which secure in place a black leather chinstrap, adjusted with a functional bronze buckle. Situated beneath the discs are magnetic metal cockades, with the left side painted in a red, white, and black Imperial tri-colour motif, while the right side is painted in a Prussian black and white colour scheme. Completing the exterior features is a protruding boiled and blackened leather visor, reinforced along the rim with a gilded brass bar. The interior retains a brown leather liner, culminating in nine fingers, each perforated at the top with an eyelet through which is looped an original leather drawstring. The crown is riveted with a disc bearing a maker’s mark of “GEORG C. HANSEN, HUSUM A. D. NORDSEE”. It measures approximately 18.5 cm (w) x 25.5 cm (l) x 16 cm (h) (inclusive of comb). Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include minor material fatigue to the shell and other leather elements, with slight oxidation and loss of finish visible to the brass fixtures. The helmet is in an overall better than very fine condition.