Hand Pumpers

[Box 2565]

You don't see a lot of old photos of hand pumpers.  This particular one was named the 'Franklin'.  The town that operated this rig is unknown.

[wardengine]

sorry gang i don't have any pics but will work on it but in kingston pa the independent fire company no 1 has a restored 1857 hand pumper it was sent to amish in lancaster pa to have all wood replaced while that was going on they had pump repaired to working status then had it repainted and gold leafed  they trailer it locally to events in area

[Box 2565]

Osgood IN
1886 Rumsey
I really like the Rumsey name cast into the pressure dome.  Steve Hagy photos.

[Box 2565]

San Francisco, California   Pacific Engine 8
18XX William Jeffers

[MFDPhoto1]

Massillon, Ohio: 1856 Vigilant of the Hunneman Fire Engine Company of Boston, Massachusetts.

[firepro]

1880  Rumsey hand pumper -  Once owned and operated  by Otisville New York -

[firepro]

1865 Rumsey hand pumper - Used and operated  by Washingtonville NY

[firepro]

Close up view of one of the Rumsey pumps - These little pumpers look like four men would operate , but I wish I knew more about them ?

[firepro]

These things look like they were a lot of fun to operate ... ( Not )     I would much rather just throw a lever to get some water ...   But you must admit they must have been pretty impressive for their time .   Who knows ?  With gas prices increasing we might be forced to these again ...   

[4everleatherhead]

http://www.millvillefire.org/images/handpump.JPG

Millville Fire Department in New Jersey has two hand pumpers, a 1795 and a 1798 (respectively).  I believe they're Richard Mason engines.  As recently as the late 60s, they were refurbed to pumping order, though they have begun to dry out again, having been in non-climate controlled storage for years.  It's a shame.  They're both beautiful engines.

This photo is from the website.  I never had a camera handy when they were out of storage.

[brucobuff]

1804 Philip Mason, Chestertown,MD.
mid-50's photo by Henry Marschalk, W.Jenkins collection

[brucobuff]

Compare with a c.1950 Ford pumper.
I do not know if Chestertown still has this. The fire house was replaced many years ago.
Marschalk photo, Jenkins collection

[brucobuff]

Hancock, MD. VFC members in the late 40's display their 1852 Button hand pump,x-Canada Hose Co. of Cumberland, MD., along with their 1941 Diamond T/Oren 500 GPM rig.
The fate of the hand pump is unknown, but the 41 DT/Oren is still with neighboring Needmore,PA. VFC.
Marschalk photo, Jenkins collection

[Bklyn Phil]

Jos Share, Baltimore, 1840, hand pump of the Rouse Fire Co of Winchester VA

[Box 2565]

This engine is on a small bridge over a creek.  Looks as though the machine was preparing to or already had drafted.