Date of this Photo

[tomkin]

I thought it was a wrench for the fire hydrant,
I was also going to suggest that if Pippa took a very high resolution scan of just
the helmet badge a lot more information might appear.

Tomkin

[PrueM]

Hi Pippa 
Thanks for scanning the back.
The photo most probably dates from the early 1870s - is that any help in trying to find out who it is?
Prue

[cazza59]

LOL I thought it looked odd, but I couldn't see the other side of the belt in the original (mind you it was late at night).  I thought it was some sort of sash thingy.

Just coloured it for fun (personally I prefer original sepia),  Just curious but for some reason I thought fireman's jackets were red in those days, anybody know for sure 


Cazza
 

[cazza59]

DOH!  Just saw the rest of your message Gareth!  Was going to do a blue tunic but as Kali already had, thought I'd give him a different look.  Perhaps he could wear the red for special occasions 

Cazza

[cazza59]

Okay, I started having visions of the guy loosing his pants as he was coming down the emergency pole  , so here he is with belt and a new ensemble! 

Cazza
 

[trellisick]

nice one cazza, but i did like his red coat its a shame & i think they should have worn them red.

[cazza59]

And cos Pippa liked the red one, here he is with belt 

[cazza59]

Cheers Kali 

I agree ...he's a much more dashing figure in red!!   

[garethgriffiths]

I reckon they chose blue because in real life whan fighting flames they wouldnt have been able to see them in a darkened room full of smoke and flames.  Its one reason why we changed from black helmets to yellow ones, I remember the yellow paint arriving, it was so hilarious to see all these old firemen painting their helmets yellow, they were so grumpy, and looked like a row of daffodils on parade LOL, takes me back to 1976! 

More black on helmet and belt Id suggest if you want to get closer to real life.  Not that im critical as I cant do it!  Red I ask you!
Gareth just retired after 32 yrs hooray.