A rare opportunity to own the earliest fireman's hat i have had in my possession. The hat is a Horsham Fire Brigade, West Sussex & approximately 1890's pattern fireman's hat with the large silvered standard pattern crossed axes badge on the front. There is a rolled up newspaper lining dated 1902 within the hat's inner band & stitching has come away, one cap band side button is also missing but the hat is 100% original & in good condition for an antique hat nearly 150 years old. It is a small size & was manufactured locally in Horsham by George Apedaile who had a shop at 5 West St, Horsham & sold clothing & headwear to the local population. The badge is the original badge applied to the hat & has not been replaced, the cap came from the Stuart Black collection, a long time collecting friend & West Sussex firefighter who had a famous early leather helmet collection which included the rare Andover Fire Brigade leather helmet with torch installed in the comb. 
A great opportunity to own a rare early fire brigade hat.