Cairns Brothers Fire Helmets History

Original magazine advertisement from the early 1970 s.
Cairns brothers fire helmets history. A 1947 48 b 1949 50 c 1951 52 d 1953 54 e 1955 56 f 1957 58 g 1959 60. Today these are known as front pieces. Cairns brother was the first manufacturer to incorporate full thermal impact caps within fire helmet shells. 5a new yorker 1964 66.
This 20th century metal fire helmet features the hallmarks of gratacap s early 19th century leather helmet design including the protective combs elongated rear brim eagle frontpiece holder and leather frontpiece. Foam impact caps were initially designed for impact energy absorption but were found to effectively absorb thermal energy as well. This metal fire helmet was made by cairns brother of new york new york around 1950. Quite scarce and old this a vintage and original ad not a copy or reproduction.
Bill mccutcheon fifth generation former owner of cairns fire helmets gives a quick history lesson on how cairns got its start. 1970 s cairns brother inc fire helmets 900p 910p ad very rare old item. Page size about 8 x11. If you look inside the crown of the helmet you will see a carins brother medallion they moved from new york to clifton new jersey in 1948.
500h 505m solid top drop brim 1941. The lettering system started in 1954 and changed every 2 years. Eau claire wi iacoj director of cheese and whine. 5a new yorker pre.
Township fire dept inc. Like military units before them fire brigades adopted helmets during the mid 18th century. The cairns brothers are credited with the idea of mounting an identification badge to the front of gratacap s helmets. Expecting a call back tomorrow.
Cairns brother has pioneered firefighter helmet. 1 10 year warranty applies only to msa cairns helmets manufactured on or after january 1 2015. When you purchase an msa cairns fire helmet not only do you receive a durable product but also a 10 year lifetime warranty that the product will be free from defects in materials and or faulty workmanship. Cairns brothers leather firefighters helmet duration.
I placed a call to mfsa cairns yesterday. 1970 s cairns brother inc fire helmets 900p 910p ad. 660 cp project fires 1982. The two companies operated cooperatively until gratacap s retirement sometime in the 1850s when the cairns brother legacy was born.
These are the date codes for cairns leather helmets. Fire helmets with integral impact caps are significantly cooler for users to wear than are those without.