Firefighter Helmet from the City of Avremesnil, Model 1852, Second Empire.
Made entirely of brass, this helmet features a dome topped with a crest composed of two stamped fins forming a decreasing series of gadroons. The crest is topped with a black horsehair plume. The lower part of the dome is adorned at the back with a brass band depicting an oak branch and bordered by a twisted molding.
The front plate, made of embossed brass, displays a rectangular coat of arms at its center, adorned with a flaming bomb placed on a molded escutcheon. This coat of arms surmounts an oak and laurel branch, with a background of crossed flags (broken tips, welds) and crossed axes. In the lower part, a ribbon bears the inscription 'Srs POMPIERS DE AVREMESNIL.'
The movable visor is stamped with two crossed axes and has a crack. The brass jugulars include a chin strap embossed in a relief brass plate with a series of scalloped and chiseled scales. This plate is mounted on a black waxed leather core, with round rosettes embossed in relief with gadroons.
The square-sectioned, slightly tapering downward plume holder lacks a tightening screw. The brown leather interior lining is posterior. The tricolor plume features a braided woolen olive in blue, white, and red, also posterior.
In good overall condition with signs of use. Originating from France, it belongs to the Second Empire period.