20th Century/Poland: Polish Fire Department Officer's Helmet + Period Photograph/Ostrzycki, Kalisz/Badge/Insignia

Polish firefighter helmets from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.
In the second half of the 19th century, Polish fire departments developed rapidly across all three partitions. The primary purpose of these organizations was, on the one hand, to fight fires; on the other hand, they served as vehicles for Polish civic and patriotic ideals. Most often formed by local Polish representatives and equipped with their own uniforms, banners, regulations, and command structures, they served as a sort of substitute for Polish uniformed services, while also evoking obvious associations with military units. This trend was most evident in the relatively liberal Austrian Partition, where in 1902 Polish fire departments were permitted to wear an emblem in the form of a “falcon” with the letters “SO” (“Fire Department”) on their chests. Among Franz Joseph’s Polish subjects, it was no secret that the fire department’s “falcon” was a falcon in name only—a way to circumvent regulations—and was in fact a variation of the Polish eagle. Interestingly, this emblem remained unchanged after 1918. To meet the needs of Polish fire departments, the production of helmets began in the territories of the three partitioning powers, based on designs adopted in each respective partitioning state. After regaining independence in 1918, the helmets left over from the partitions remained in use, often fitted with new Polish insignia. Production of “old-style” helmets in many different variations also continued in Poland until the 1930s. In the 1930s, the need arose to modernize Polish fire departments and standardize the appearance of firefighters, which led to the gradual introduction of a new type of helmet, manufactured at the Ludwików Steelworks. In practice, however, until 1939—and even after the end of World War II—many fire departments continued to use the old-style helmets.
We are offering you a unique set consisting of an officer’s firefighter helmet manufactured by the Ostrzycki company in Kalisz, along with a photograph from 1931 depicting a firefighter wearing a helmet bearing the insignia of the Kalisz Fire Department. Note: This is not a set from a single person; the previous owner acquired both items separately. The helmet in the 1931 photograph bears the same city insignia but differs in the shape of the crest; it is a helmet worn by a lower-ranking firefighter. This does not change the fact that both items form an extremely interesting set illustrating the history of the Kalisz Fire Department.
Helmet:
The helmet shell is made of nickel silver. The manufacturer’s mark, “OSTRZYCKI w KALISZU,” appears on the neck strap and the lining strap. The leather lining on the inside of the visor has come loose and is hanging loose. Dimensions: 23.5 x 28 x 20 cm
Photograph:
A firefighter in full dress uniform and a helmet bearing the coat of arms of Kalisz. On the uniform, one can see a badge for 20 years of service in the Fire Department and the “FOR DEDICATION” insignia of the Kalisz Volunteer Fire Department (K.O.S.O.). The photograph was taken at the “J. Jackowski Kalisz” workshop. On the back, a handwritten dedication: “To Comrade F. Kujchalski (?) in memory of our time working together in the Kalisz Fire Department, presented by (handwritten signature difficult to read); “Nov. 10, 1931.” The original period frame has been preserved. Dimensions including the frame: 23 x 14.8 cm.