Fire helmets have long provided firefighters a visible layer of safety.  Cairns & Brother Inc. of Clifton, NJ is recognized for their classic New Yorker fire helmet and fire service helmets for firefighters.  Vintage Cairns fireman helmets are highly desired by a diverse group of firefighting memorabilia collectors. 

Whether a novice or long-time collector, eBay provides buyers the unique opportunity to discover Cairns fire helmets that were issued in their 150+ year history.  Thanks for joining us in recognizing the importance of Cairns & Brother helmets and their place in the history of firefighting!   

History of Cairns & Brother Inc.

The fire helmet got its start in 1740 when a New York City fireman named Jacobus Turk created a round leather helmet with a slender rim.  Despite continued efforts to improve the helmet's durability, the leather helmet quickly rotted over the next hundred years.  

By the 1840s, Henry Gratacap, a luggage maker who developed luggage designed specifically to withstand the harsh conditions of ocean travel, changed firefighting history with his creation of a fire helmet created from stout tanned cowhide and supported with leather strips.  He added a sloped brim on the back to direct water to flow away from the firefighter and christened it the "New Yorker" fire helmet

The two Cairns brothers were metal badge makers when they saw Gratacap's New Yorker and realized that a holder could mount a badge on the front of the helmets allowing firefighters to distinguish between fire companies.  They soon began supplying Gratacap with holders and badges for his helmets.  In 1850, the Cairns and Gratacap joined forces under one roof and established Cairns & Brother Inc. to produce fire helmets and, later, a wide inventory of fire equipment and supplies.

Over the next 150 years, Cairns embraced contemporary technology advances to stay on top of the latest materials to better protect firefighters.  The 1920s brought the introduction of helmets made from aluminum.  In 1974, the first OHSA compliant helmets were issued and called the 770 Philadelphian.  The 1980s brought helmets made with kevlar materials to the forefront.

Cairns, the leader in the fire service helmet industry throughout the United States and Canada was purchased in August of 2000 by the Mine Safety Association Co. (MSA) who remain focused on providing the highest quality of fire equipment in the 21st century. 

The fire helmet has become so symbolic of the firefighter...even to the extent that "leatherhead" is a nickname for firefighters coined after the leather helmets they wear.  The Cairns fire service helmet exemplifies the bravery, steadfastness and dedication of firefighters worldwide. 

Pictures of Vintage Cairns Fire Helmets

Questions to Ask Before Buying

Condition - Although there is a possibility that the Cairns helmet was never used, never handled and stored in a climate-controlled facility...chances are good that the Cairns helmet has not only been used, but also abused. 

• Has the Cairns helmet been repaired?  Restored?  Is the leather and metalwork original?  
• Is the leather dry and cracked?  Has it been cut or punctured?  What oils (if any) have been used?
• How is the helmet shape?  Crushed?  For metal helmets, is it dinged?  Any holes? 
• Is the front shield intact?  Is the lettering legible?  Is the mount original?
• Is the chin strap original?  Repaired?  Cut or frayed?  Is the original buckle secure?
• Is the brim split?  Cut?  Replaced?
• Is the original tag in place?  Size label?  Inside liner intact? 

Provenance - Everyone loves a good story and the provenance of a Cairns helmet tells the story of its history.  Documentation of the provenance of a helmet is an invaluable asset to a collector, especially for fire helmets sold at a premium because of their association with particular fire companies or firefighters.  The provenance is helpful in determining whether the Cairns helmet and/or claim to historic prominence is authentic.

• Are there any historical documents or fire department photographs (like the ones below) available recording the service or owner of the fire helmet?
• If documents do exist, are they available for purchase?  Or could a copy be provided?
• How did the seller acquire the fire helmet?  Passed down through generations?  An estate sale?
• Is there a historical society associated with the fire company indicated on the helmet? 

Resources for Firefighting Collectors

Knowledge is power....which is so true for collectors of vintage firefighting equipment.  Books give buyers a guide to the world of collecting firefighting memorabilia.  firefighting reference books empower buyers with an informed ability to spot great buys on eBay for Antique Cairns helmets, as well as every kind of fire department gear imaginable.

• Hot Stuff: Firefighting Collectibles: an illustrated reference and buyers guide by Andrew G. Gurka 
• Firefighting Antiques and Memorabilia by James Piatti and Sandra Piatti
• Firefighting Toys by James Piatti and Sandra Frost Piatti
• The History of American Firefighting Toys: The Development of Real Equipment and a Collectors Guide to the Toys They Inspired by Charles V. Hansen
• Firehouse collectibles pricing guide: An illustrated pricing guide to fire department memorabilia from the colonial era to the present day by Mary Jane Piatti

Helpful Tips for Cairns Helmet Buyers

• Do Your Research - Learn as much as you can about your desired Cairns fire helmet.  Not all sellers are knowledgable of the subtle variations found in Cairns fire helmets.  If their description and/or photo leaves a question in your mind, then remember to ask the seller.  This lets you clear up things before the sale and keeps both you and the seller on the road to a successful transaction. 
• Understand eBay Jargon - Check out the list of eBay acronyms so that you can more quickly distinguish NM (near mint) from MNB (mint no box).  Informed buyers make smart buyers!
• Use different keywords - The Advanced Search option provided by eBay lets buyers search titles or the title and description or completed items. Keep in mind that not everyone will precisely list an item as a 1920s Vintage Cairns & Brother Aluminum Fire Helmet.   Rather than getting discouraged...expand your search, you might discover a piece listed simply under old fire helmet or aluminum helmet.   Another helpful hint is to misspell your search terms...like fire helment.  Changing your search increases the chances of finding your item. Save your search on your personalized My eBay page and receive an email notification when a new listing is posted.
• Remember eBay Stores - eBay offers buyers another area for Cairns fire helmets through eBay Stores featuring historical firefighting equipment. With great inventory selections and frequent updates, you just might find the perfect Cairns fire helmet.  If you are still in search of a particular Cairns fire helmet, be sure to post a notice to sellers in eBay's Want It Now section.
• Bid Safely and Smartly - Review the seller's feedback rating...are their customers consistently happy with their purchase?  Do they have experience selling fire helmets?  Are items sold "as is" or with a "satisfaction guarantee"?  Is there a shipping/handling fee? If you win the bid, keep in mind that PayPal provides buyers with a safe and secure means to purchase items without revealing their credit card numbers to sellers....this is a welcome (and free!) alternative.
• Savor the Journey - In conclusion....have fun with it! eBay is a great way to peek through an amazing selection of Cairns fire helmets and vintage firefighting apparatus.  Discover pieces you did not know existed, meet other Cairns collectors, and remember....your dream vintage helmet by Cairns & Brother awaits!