Fire Department insignia 1890s

Some of these could be mistaken for military badges but are actually from the fireman uniforms and supplies catalogue of M.C. Lilley & Co, Columbus Ohio 1893.
I've touched up two of the badges by adding a little colour, which may be correct or not, it's just to make them a little easier to see.

This page has the price list for the offices badges and shoulder straps.
You could have a pair of straps embroidered in real gold for as little as $5:25.
Notice for example that gold plated metal badges are double the price of fine gilt bullion, and are not far short of double the price of the real gold bullion.

Very interesting! Good find.