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ID #SA1194439
FOR SALE
£650
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19th Century French Sapeurs-pompiers De Marseille Brass Fireman’s Helmet C.1885
For sale by Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria
for sale €761     $826
£650
Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria

Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria

Sellingantiques Verified Since Nov 2020
Browse dealers 97 items
  • About Us
    We specialise in flintlock pistols, muskets, clocks & watches
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Id #SA1194439
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19th Century French Sapeurs-pompiers De Marseille Brass Fireman’s Helmet C.1885

19th century
Description

A good original example of a late 19th century French Sapeurs-Pompiers fireman’s helmet, attributed to the Marseille Fire Brigade, dating to circa 1885. Of classic Third Republic form, the helmet is constructed entirely of brass, with a high crested comb featuring pronounced fluted decoration, rolled edges, and front and rear peaks. The helmet retains its original brass scaled chinstrap with rosette bosses, and an applied Marseille civic fire brigade badge to the front, well struck and sharply detailed. This is a solid, honest working helmet, displaying an attractive aged patina throughout and offering strong visual presence.

Condition Report

Good original condition. Structurally sound with no splits or major dents. Surface wear, minor dings and patination consistent with age and service. No silvering or gilding present; entirely brass as issued.

Measurements

Height: 28 cm

Width: 28 cm

Depth: 19 cm

Date of Manufacture

Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria has dated this French Brass Fireman Helmet to the 19th Century.

Independent Date Guide ID 09361073
Dealer's Item Date19th Century
Sellingantiques Date19th Century
Sellingantiques agingItem 115-145 years old
ResultsDates match
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to THE 19TH CENTURY:
Slotted brass screws fixing the crest to the skull: late nineteenth-century metalwork.
Internal ventilation holes pierced beneath the comb: practical period design for active service.
Eight-tongued leather liner tied with cord: original late nineteenth-century helmet suspension.
Stamped brass scales on original leather chinstraps: typical construction of the Third Republic.
Front plate with crossed axes and flaming grenade: standard late nineteenth-century brigade insignia.

This Independent Date Guide was compiled by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. It works only from the photographs shown on this page and is never told the date the dealer has declared. It is a guide, not a guarantee of age, and occasional errors can occur.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1194439
Dealers Internal Reference
H1
Dealers Notes

Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria, Portobello Road

WE are open every Saturday between 9.30 - 3.30pm in Chelsea Galleries 67 Portobello Road London.

We are at the front of the gallery, on the 1st aisle.

Web page:-

https://peterharrisclocks.com/welcome/

Description
A good original example of a late 19th century French Sapeurs-Pompiers fireman’s helmet, attributed to the Marseille Fire Brigade, dating to circa 1885.
“
Of classic Third Republic form, the helmet is constructed entirely of brass, with a high crested comb featuring pronounced fluted decoration, rolled edges, and front and rear peaks.
Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria

The helmet retains its original brass scaled chinstrap with rosette bosses, and an applied Marseille civic fire brigade badge to the front, well struck and sharply detailed. This is a solid, honest working helmet, displaying an attractive aged patina throughout and offering strong visual presence.

fig 1. A 19th-century French brass fireman helmet featuring an embossed front plaque with axes and crest, a fluted top comb, and a brass scaled chin strap.
fig 1. 19th Century French Sapeurs-pompiers De Marseille Brass Fireman’s Helmet C.1885

Condition Report

Good original condition. Structurally sound with no splits or major dents. Surface wear, minor dings and patination consistent with age and service. No silvering or gilding present; entirely brass as issued.

Measurements

Height: 28 cm

Width: 28 cm

Depth: 19 cm

Date of Manufacture

Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria has dated this French Brass Fireman Helmet to the 19th Century.

Independent Date Report ID 09361073
Dealer's Item Date19th Century
Sellingantiques dating19th Century
Sellingantiques agingItem 115-145 years old
ResultsDates match
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to the 19th Century:
Slotted brass screws fixing the crest to the skull: late nineteenth-century metalwork.
Internal ventilation holes pierced beneath the comb: practical period design for active service.
Eight-tongued leather liner tied with cord: original late nineteenth-century helmet suspension.
Stamped brass scales on original leather chinstraps: typical construction of the Third Republic.
Front plate with crossed axes and flaming grenade: standard late nineteenth-century brigade insignia.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1194439
Dealers Internal Ref
H1
Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria
Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria
Sellingantiques verified Since Nov 2020

We specialise in flintlock pistols, muskets, clocks & watches

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria Profile Page

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A 19th-century French brass fireman helmet featuring an embossed front plaque with axes and crest, a fluted top comb, and a brass scaled chin strap.
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Archive I A 19th-century French brass fireman helmet featuring an embossed front plaque with axes and crest, a fluted top comb, and a brass scaled chin strap.

19th Century French Sapeurs-pompiers De Marseille Brass Fireman’s Helmet C.1885

Archive II A 19th-century French brass fireman helmet featuring an embossed front plaque with axes and crest, a fluted top comb, and a brass scaled chin strap. View II
Archive III A 19th-century French brass fireman helmet featuring an embossed front plaque with axes and crest, a fluted top comb, and a brass scaled chin strap. View III
Archive IV A 19th-century French brass fireman helmet featuring an embossed front plaque with axes and crest, a fluted top comb, and a brass scaled chin strap. View IV
Archive V A 19th-century French brass fireman helmet featuring an embossed front plaque with axes and crest, a fluted top comb, and a brass scaled chin strap. View V
Archive VI A 19th-century French brass fireman helmet featuring an embossed front plaque with axes and crest, a fluted top comb, and a brass scaled chin strap. View VI
Archive VII A 19th-century French brass fireman helmet featuring an embossed front plaque with axes and crest, a fluted top comb, and a brass scaled chin strap. View VII
Archive VIII A 19th-century French brass fireman helmet featuring an embossed front plaque with axes and crest, a fluted top comb, and a brass scaled chin strap. View VIII
Archive IX A 19th-century French brass fireman helmet featuring an embossed front plaque with axes and crest, a fluted top comb, and a brass scaled chin strap. View IX
Archive X A 19th-century French brass fireman helmet featuring an embossed front plaque with axes and crest, a fluted top comb, and a brass scaled chin strap. View X
Archive XI A 19th-century French brass fireman helmet featuring an embossed front plaque with axes and crest, a fluted top comb, and a brass scaled chin strap. View XI
Archive XII A 19th-century French brass fireman helmet featuring an embossed front plaque with axes and crest, a fluted top comb, and a brass scaled chin strap. View XII
Archive XIII A 19th-century French brass fireman helmet featuring an embossed front plaque with axes and crest, a fluted top comb, and a brass scaled chin strap. View XIII
Archive XIV A 19th-century French brass fireman helmet featuring an embossed front plaque with axes and crest, a fluted top comb, and a brass scaled chin strap. View XIV
Archive XV A 19th-century French brass fireman helmet featuring an embossed front plaque with axes and crest, a fluted top comb, and a brass scaled chin strap. View XV
Archive XVI A 19th-century French brass fireman helmet featuring an embossed front plaque with axes and crest, a fluted top comb, and a brass scaled chin strap. View XVI
Archive XVII A 19th-century French brass fireman helmet featuring an embossed front plaque with axes and crest, a fluted top comb, and a brass scaled chin strap. View XVII
Enlarged Archival View
Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria

Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria
Telephone 07930 536818
Location
London
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/peterharrisclocks
Verified Since Nov 2020
Items For Sale 97
Items Sold 114
Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria
Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria
Verified Since Nov 2020
View Dealer Info
Location: London, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/peterharrisclocks
Verified
Nov 2020
For Sale
97
Sold
114
A 19th-century French brass fireman helmet featuring an embossed front plaque with axes and crest, a fluted top comb, and a brass scaled chin strap.
19th Century French Sapeurs-Pompiers de Marseille Brass Fireman’s Helmet c.1885
Ref: SA1194439
A 19th-century French brass fireman helmet featuring an embossed front plaque with axes and crest, a fluted top comb, and a brass scaled chin strap.
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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectHelmets
  • Period19th century
  • Style19th Century French
  • MaterialBrass, Leather
  • ColourBrass
  • MotifsFluted comb crest, Embossed insignia plaque, Scaled chin strap, Flaming grenade emblem

This late nineteenth-century French Sapeurs-Pompiers fireman’s helmet follows classic Third Republic form and is constructed entirely of brass with a bright golden-yellow colour and an aged patina. The piece displays a high crested comb with pronounced fluted decoration, rolled edges, front and rear peaks, and an applied civic fire brigade badge to the front featuring a central flaming grenade emblem and crossed axes. Additional hardware includes a brass scaled chin strap secured by rosette bosses and dark fabric backing. Measuring 28 cm in height, 28 cm in width, and 19 cm in depth, the helmet shows surface wear and minor dings consistent with its age and service. Suitable for display in a gentleman's library, this military antique sits securely on a bookshelf or within a glass cabinet as a striking decorative object. The solid brass construction and detailed embossed insignia plaque provide strong visual presence for historical collections or interior styling.

FAQs

French brass firefighter helmets were introduced in the nineteenth century for the Sapeurs-Pompiers, drawing structural design inspiration from classic military cavalry helmets. The elevated top comb was engineered to deflect falling debris away from the head, while ornate brass insignia denoted specific municipal brigades across France.

These helmets were primarily pressed and shaped from sheet brass, featuring cast brass fittings such as front badges and side bosses. The interior linings and adjustable chin straps were crafted from leather, often reinforced with interlocking brass scales for added chin protection.

Authentic period helmets display constructed seams, pressed brass plaques with specific regional armorial crests, and natural wear to the leather chin straps. Original pieces show natural patination in crevices, signs of historical hand-polishing, and era-appropriate mounting hardware on the internal shell.

A brass firefighter helmet serves as a compelling historical accent when displayed on a bespoke stand within a bookcase, on a mantelpiece, or atop an executive desk. Its polished metal finish pairs well with dark timber, leather-bound books, and curated cabinet-of-curiosities arrangements.

To preserve the historical integrity, dust gently with a soft microfiber cloth and avoid harsh chemical cleaners that remove natural patination. Leather components should be kept free from excess moisture and treated occasionally with a specialized leather conditioner to prevent drying and cracking.
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