Origin Of The Halligan?

[Guest pentax02839]

Well, I have question for everyone. This is about the Halligan tool.ive heard this was invented by an FDNY firefighter, who happened to be named, Huey Hallian. How and why did he come up with the idea? Also, I've heard that FDNY didnt take to this idea at first too well.

[tbendick 27]

It's funny that you ask this question. I was reading an article in WNYF about this very subject.

Here is a link that talks about it a little bit.

http://www.pugetsoundfools.com/The%20Halli...0Bar%201-06.doc

I found an old claw tool at the firehouse sometime back, I will have to take some photos of it.

It pretty much came down to hitting the tool. With the claw tool it was easy to miss and strike the member holding it.

With the Halligan you ended up with 3 spots to hit the tool and drive each one of the ends.

[Ladder44 73]

any one know how you can tell if a halligan is an original one???

[Guest]

any one know how you can tell if a halligan is an original one???

DEPUTY CHIEF HUGH HALLIGAN INVENTED THE HALLIGAN AS A COMBINATION OF VARIOUS TOOLS OF THE DAY THE LOCK BREAKER,KELLY TOOL,THE CLAW TOOL AND VARIOUS OTHER MEDIEVIL INSTRUMENTS. LEGEND HAS IT THAT THE FDNY COULD NOT BUY THE TOOL BECAUSE OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST DEALING WITH A CITY EMPLOYEE, SO LADDER COMPANY MEMBERS USED THEIR OWN FUNDS AND PURCHASED THESE TOOLS FOR THEIR UNITS.

THE TOOL HAS TAKEN ON CHANGES OVER THE YEARS WITH ADZ END LONGER AND MORE TAPERED AND THE SAME WITH THE FORK END NOT TO MENTION AN EYE WIELDED TO THE SIDE TO BE USE USED AS A MACE TEAMED UP WITH A CHAIN AND A HOOK TO TAKE OUT TOP FLOOR WINDOWS.

A REAL HALLIGAN CAN BE REGONIZED AS BEING ONE PIECE AND HAVING HUGIE HALLIGAN'S SIGNATURE ON THE FOLK END.

OF INTEREST IS THE FACT THAT HUGH'S BROTHER WAS MONSIGNOR JAMES HALLIGAN THE LONGTIME PASTOR OF HOLY NAME PARISH IN NEW ROCHELLE AND THE EQUALLY LONGTIME CHAPLIAN OF THE NEW ROCHELLE FIRE DEPARTMENT

MANY YEARS AGO HUGH HALLIGAN HAD A HUGE RETIREMENT PARTY IN THE CONCOURSE PLAZA HOTEL JUST UP THE STREET FROM YANKEE STADIUM ON THE CONCOURSE, IN THOSE DAYS A VERY SWANKY SPOT.

[x635 4,066]

Great and interesting insight, thanks snotty!!!

It's always cool to hear the story behind how the tools of our job came to be...also interesting there's a local connection.

[Guest]

I tried a search on wikipedia, good read:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halligan_bar

Edited July 6, 2007 by NRFDTL11Buff

[Guest pentax02839]

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE ,THAT INFORMATION WAS VERY HELPFUL

[wraftery 1,275]

DEPUTY CHIEF HUGH HALLIGAN INVENTED THE HALLIGAN AS A COMBINATION OF VARIOUS TOOLS OF THE DAY THE LOCK BREAKER,KELLY TOOL,THE CLAW TOOL AND VARIOUS OTHER MEDIEVIL INSTRUMENTS. LEGEND HAS IT THAT THE FDNY COULD NOT BUY THE TOOL BECAUSE OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST DEALING WITH A CITY EMPLOYEE, SO LADDER COMPANY MEMBERS USED THEIR OWN FUNDS AND PURCHASED THESE TOOLS FOR THEIR UNITS.

THE TOOL HAS TAKEN ON CHANGES OVER THE YEARS WITH ADZ END LONGER AND MORE TAPERED AND THE SAME WITH THE FORK END NOT TO MENTION AN EYE WIELDED TO THE SIDE TO BE USE USED AS A MACE TEAMED UP WITH A CHAIN AND A HOOK TO TAKE OUT TOP FLOOR WINDOWS.

A REAL HALLIGAN CAN BE REGONIZED AS BEING ONE PIECE AND HAVING HUGIE HALLIGAN'S SIGNATURE ON THE FOLK END.

OF INTEREST IS THE FACT THAT HUGH'S BROTHER WAS MONSIGNOR JAMES HALLIGAN THE LONGTIME PASTOR OF HOLY NAME PARISH IN NEW ROCHELLE AND THE EQUALLY LONGTIME CHAPLIAN OF THE NEW ROCHELLE FIRE DEPARTMENT

MANY YEARS AGO HUGH HALLIGAN HAD A HUGE RETIREMENT PARTY IN THE CONCOURSE PLAZA HOTEL JUST UP THE STREET FROM YANKEE STADIUM ON THE CONCOURSE, IN THOSE DAYS A VERY SWANKY SPOT.

SNOTTY is Absolutely Correct

[houlidsa 76]

another fun fact is that it was delevoped in the basement of the old quarters of Engine 48