Name/Title
Pacific Hose Company No. 4 Engraved Silver Plated Megaphone and case, 1881Entry/Object ID
1981.265.1Description
Acc. No. 81.265.1 A & B
Subject Category: Fire Department (Equipment)
Date or Period: 1881
Object:
Megaphone, silver A
Presentation case B
Description: Silver plated megaphone. No manufacturer's hallmark apparent. Has an elaborate engraving with motifs representing the fire department such as a fire hat, and ladder, and at flare of horny, two fire company thagons, hose, and pump engine. There is a medallion in the center of the horn engraved with the statement: "Presented to Pacific Hose Company, No. 4, by the Home Mutual Ins. Co. 4th July, 1881. There is a blue cord and tassel, attached to rings, that are held in place by miniature silver fire helmets which have been soldered to the body of the hom.
Size: mouthpiece opening is 2½" across, this is on the end of a tapering body that ends at a flare opening which measures 9" across.
B. Presentation Case is pyramid shaped. Has three sides of clear glass, back of case is solid panel of wood painted black, Exterior of case is gold leaf, accentuated with ebonized black trim. Exterior back panel written in script with pencil is the name O.F.Westphal, Alameda, this being the name of a pioneer jeweler on Park St. who was probably responsible for the engraving on the horn.
Size: Flare base 14 "X15" and it is 29" high. Front panel opens on a hinge to expose horn.
History of Object: Silver megaphone bugle presented to the Pacific Hose Company, No. 4 by the Home Mutual Insurance Company July 4, 1881. Fire Chief Robert J. McGill.
Acquired from: Walter J. Steinmetz (former fire chief)
Date: November 5, 1951Interpretative Labels
Label
5/26/2020 MvL: old label:
SPEAKING TRUMPET
PRESENTED TO PACIFIC HOSE COMPANY NO. 4
BY THE HOME MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY
JULY 4, 1881 FIRE CHIEF: ROBERT J. MCGILL
Donor: Walter J. Steinmetz