VOLUNTEER ERA BADGES (pre 1890)

The following badges can date as early as the 1860s. The numbers in the center are specific to a given fireman. The hose border suggests they may have been hose company badges.

Dayspring Collection

Germania Hook and Ladder 2  (77 Prospect Street)

Shield shaped badges were use by all of Paterson's Volunteer Companies starting in the 1870s and continuing until the department became paid in 1890. Exempt firemen used "silver" (nickel plated) color and non-exempts the brass ones.  The badges all have a steam fire engine on the bottom, the company number in the center and the fireman's badge number at the apex. Hook and Ladder Companies had crossed ladders around the Company Number and Hose Companies display a circular hose around the Company Number.  

At right are men of Germania Hook and Ladder Company 2 with badges outside of the 77 Prospect Street Firehouse

Neptune Engine Company 2

Passaic Engine Company 1

Passaic Engine 1 Eifler Collection

Neptune Engine Company 2

Firefighter Badge

Exempt Firefighter Badge (Eifler Collection)

Washington Engine Company 3

Badge 17 ? Thomas Richmond -- Eifler Collection

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​Jackson Engine Company 4

​Vigilant Engine Company 6

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Liberty Engine Company 7

Lafayette Engine Company 8

Badge of James McMullen

Paterson Steam Fire Engine Company 9 

Columbia Hose Company 1

Hibernia Hose Company 3

Cataract Hose Company 2

Eagle Hook and Ladder Company 1

Germania Hook and Ladder 2

Trio of Company 1 Badges
Columbia Hose 1  ----------------- Eagle Hook and Ladder 1  ------ Passaic Engine Company 1

Vigilant Engine Company VI was located at 304 Market Street - Not known what "Junior" refers to on badge but it may represent a child "mascot"

Eifler Collection

Presentation badge of Chief Andrew Moser

Dayspring Collection

​Presentation Badges:  of Foreman of Cataract Hose 2 & James Kearney Jr. of Eagle H&L 1

Dayspring Collection

Dayspring Collection

Exempt Association Badges of Charles Moore who served on Neptune Engine Company 2 of the Volunteers and later (1890) as a paid PFD fireman

Badge of James Kearney

1889 Souvenir Badge from Protection Steam Fire Engine Company  5

Eifler Collection