Fire Department Treasure Returns To Long Valley

LONG VALLEY, NJ — A leather fire helmet has found its way back to Long Valley about a century after it was first in the community.

Russ Dore of Long Valley Fire Company No. 1, told Patch in an email that the fire company found the helmet — listed by the dealer in Muncy, Pennsylvania — for $760 plus shipping.

The collector who had the helmet had no connection to the fire company, Dore said.

In the original listing, the seller described the helmet as an “early Cairns leather fire helmet,” auctioning it off in “as is” condition.

According to the manufacturer, MSA Cairns — still in existence — the company has been making leather firefighting helmets since 1836.

The helmet has no markings so the fire company has not been able to trace it to a particular firefighter, though there is a photo of members wearing that helmet style, Dore added.

However, Dore said the fire company estimates it is from the 1920s because of the department’s naming history.

Long Valley was first called German Valley until after World War I, according to the fire company’s website. Long Valley Fire Company was then established in 1921.

“That name [Long Valley Fire Company] was used until the mid 30s when it was changed to Long Valley Fire Department,” Dore said.

The fire department was renamed Long Valley Fire Company again in the 1980s, he added.

The fire company plans to display the helmet at its station after it is “examined to determine age and manufacturer.”

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.