December 4, 2008
Toy fire engines first appeared around 1880, made of cast iron and tinplate. Known as fire wagons, these toys included pumper wagons, horse-drawn chief's wagons, ladder wagons, and other accessories.
Interestingly, the toy fire trucks of the 1920's predicted the engines of today. Toy makers combined the traditional horse-drawn wagons with a truck body to create something similar to today's fire engine. The three most famous makers of these early fire-fighting toys are Dent, Kenton, and Hubley, though other companies like Tonka and Marx would later make smaller scale tin and steel engines.
Note that cast-iron fire trucks have been frequently reproduced, so it's important to look at authenticity.
Ron Sturgeon: I had an automotive repair shop in about 1976 and spent a lot of time repairing Mercedes. About… [more]
I’ve been collecting vintage toys since 1982. I started slowly and methodically, partly for lack of informa… [more]
This incredibly comprehensive archive of LAFD ephemera and memorabilia is as good a history of 19th and 20th centur… [more]
Juergen Sinkels stunning collection of German tin-plate toys circa 1900 to 1930. Features high resolution, almost-l… [more]
Ron Sturgeon's excellent gallery of fancy model cars and other vehicles. Nice high resolution shots with classy mus… [more]
Great collection of forest fire prevention posters, multimedia, and memorabilia from the 1940s through the present.… [more]
Don't let your dog near this site... hundreds of photos of fire hydrant collections from over 60 individual collect… [more]
Daniel Beckett's gallery of over 6000 collectible diecast vintage toy cars from the 1960s through the 1980s. Includ… [more]
Paul Chenard's impressive collection of vintage model race cars (mostly European) including Hotwheels, Dinky, Match… [more]
This gallery of Matchbox model cars and other vehicles from the 1970s is worth cruising if you ever had (or wanted)… [more]
This gallery of model show rods from 1960 to 2001 includes favorites like the Ã58 Thunderbird, Fireball 500, Mag… [more]
Got a site to suggest? Let us know.
Are we missing one? Tell us.
SouthCoastToday.com, MA -
From noon to 5 pm, trolley rides will provide transportation throughout the area while there will be antique fire truck rides from 1 to 4 pm The Whaling ...
Vienna/Oakton Connection, VA -
By Donna Manz, The Connection The wail of the siren on Vienna’s antique fire truck heralded the arrival of Santa Claus to the Church Street Holiday Stroll. ...
Monroe News Star, LA -
He'll arrive on a fire truck. Schepis Museum — 106 Main St., Columbia, Christmas open house from 3-5 pm, Saturday just before the downtown Caldwell Country ...
Lake County Banner, TN -
As always, Santa will bring up the rear of the parade on the fire truck. Fire trucks from throughout the area are expected. “We want everyone to come out ...
Florida Today, FL -
Sponsored by the Mims Volunteer Fire Department, the parade will be held Saturday and will be accompanied by a bazaar, barbecue, raffle and fire truck ...
Antiques and the Arts Online, CT -
Cement Mixer, Tractor Trailor & More, Children's Cast Iron Stoves, Die Cast Lot, Early Tootsie Toys w/ Metal Wheels, circa 1930's Fire Truck w/ Metal Wheels ...
Leelanau Enterprise, MI -
Volunteers will play Christmas carols on the antique organ in the keeper’s residence as well. At 3 pm, Santa Claus will arrive by fire truck to visit with ...
WHIZ, OH -
We've got Santa Claus coming in on an antique fire truck. So it's a neat time. It's the holiday season so it's a great time to go out and see friends," he ...
Nashua Telegraph, NH -
Santa will enter on a fire truck and will be listening to wish lists in the fire department. Before and after the lighting, the Friends of the Library will ...
Marked Tree Tri-City Tribune, AR -
No one will be allowed to park or enter on Hester Parker Road except the Marked Tree fire truck and police escorts. Organizers ask that everyone stay off ...
