Ca.1880 FIRE CHIEF SPEAKING HORN: COll. Bill Hyland. 17 1/2 INCHES NICKEL PLATED

Description

This is a fine example of a late nineteenth century (possibly very early 1900's,
though I don't think so) Fire Chief "Speaking Horn"--used when the horse drawn
steam pump fire equipment would arrive to create hose pressure sufficient to drive
water into the flames. The chief would use it to organize and command in a voice
booming loud above the fray to his firefighters so they could follow his orders.
Bill Hyland's fire memoribilia collection was sold in 2007 and this was in the auction.
At the time it brought with commission about 700 (to my knowledge). It had two dents,
not deep, and I paid a specialist in fine repair of musical trumpets to return the surface to
what it had been. He described it as his biggest challenge because the metal was
especially non-malleable. It was done with high pressure from inside...
no hammer, or metal tool. Now, it's stunning.
Here, are the remaining condition issues, expected of a fire-involved speaking horn
150 years later. There is some loss of the nickel plating. (See pics). There is minor
surface deterioration here and there, spotty and minimal. All and all, if Bill Hyland
could prize it in his remarkable collection, it probably would enhance any museum exhibit.
Size: 17 1/2 inches long
RETURNS: Only if based on serious error in description.