Model of a Hand Pumper Fire Engine, circa 1900

THF170702 / Model of a Hand Pumper Fire Engine, circa 1900
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Artifact Overview

Mobile, hand-operated water pumps were first used to combat fires in the mid-17th century. Teams of firefighters pushed up and down on long bars -- called brakes -- to power the pump. This model represents a hand pumper from about 1900. Under ideal conditions, a full-sized engine like this might have pumped more than 75 gallons of water per minute.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Model (Representation)

Date Made

circa 1900

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

63.119.5

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of James Balcom.

Material

Wood (Plant material)
Metal
Paint (Coating)

Color

Red
Brown
Black (Color)
Yellow (Color)
Gold (Color)
Teal

Dimensions

Height: 11.25 in
Width: 12.25 in
Length: 19 in

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