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117 Show & Tell Posts Today

Collectors Weekly

The first fire engines in the U.S., called hand pumpers, were shipped to New York from England in the 1700s. Water was pumped from the tub by volunteers working long, parallel handles on the truck. American manufacturers produced similar hand pumpers until the early 1800s, when the steam pumper was developed, which supplied a continuous stream of water more effectively.

The earliest fire trucks were hand pulled to the scene, but by the mid-1800s, horses were used to draw the steam pumpers and running boards, and back steps were added to the vehicle. In 1906, the Radnor Fire Company in Wayne, PA began offering a pumper with two gasoline motors, bringing fire trucks into the modern age.

If you're interested in collecting vintage fire trucks or apparatus, some of the manufacturer names you'll want to explore include Waterous, Ahrens-Fox, Dedrick, Mack Trucks, Peter Pirsch and Sons, American LaFrance, New Stutz Fire Engine Company, Seagrave, Sutphen, Babcock, Snorkel, Spartan Chassis, Inc. and Emergency One. You may also want to consider starting with vintage model fire trucks, which take up considerably less space!

Show & Tell

Federal Siren, Chrome Front Cover, F.D. - Firefightingby collect…
in Firefighting
9 months ago
Evelyn Curro Firefighting Equipment Prints - Firefightingby potrero
in Firefighting
3 years ago
Service Personnel honored on Sept. 11th "Cruisin' For Our Heroes," 50 antique vehicles and Fire Engines - Firefightingby rcwilliams
in Firefighting
3 years ago
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Interviews & Articles

Firefighting Memorabilia, From Crown Coaches to Cairns Helmets

I started collecting firefighting memorabilia in the 1960s around the time I became a volunteer fireman here in Orange County. My … [more]



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Top eBay Auctions

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1950 Mack Fire Truck Firetruck AntiqueChevrolet : Other Pickups 2 Doors 1949 Chevy Fire Dept Five Windows TruckFord : Model T Fire Truck 1923? Model T Fire TruckE-one Pumper Fire Truck,runsgreat,1500 Gpm,750tank,will Help W/shipping,newtires1989 Ford F-800 ( Fire Truck)Chevrolet : C/k Pickup 3500 1 1997 Cheverolet 3500 4x4 Diesel Fire Truck Brush Unit Ex-city With Hale PumpInternational Harvester : Other N/a 1970 International Harvester 1300d 4x4 Attack Brush Fire Truck Grass Mini Pumper1950 Ford Fire Truck1970 Vintage Detroit 4-71 Diesel Engine 4 Cyl 528 Hours! Fire System Pump Motor 1950's Reo Vintage Fire Truck1988 Eone Pumper Fire Truck Ready To Go Runs And Pumps DieselVintage Restored Keystone Pressed Steel 28" Fire TruckSkywalker Ranch Fire Brigade Engine Co. Star Wars 1589 - Code 3 - 1/32 - Nib - KPair American Lafrance Script Dietz King Fire Truck Lanterns Fire EngineVintage 1956 Tonka No. 5 Pumper Fire Truck - With HydrantRare Vintage Smith Miller "lafd" Aerial Ladder Mack Fire Pressed Steel Toy TruckFranklin Mint Fire Truck Hood & Ladder 1/321920's Buddy L Fire Truck Vtg Aermore Exhaust Whistle With Cutout Model A T Ford Hot Rat Rod Tractor Federal Model 67 Vtg Siren Light Fire Engine Truck Ambulance Hot Street Rat RodTurner Pumper Fire TruckVintage Buddy L Texaco Fire Truck W Box Excellent Condition !!Vintage 1970 Hess Gasoline Toy Fire Engine Truck W BoxEarly Tonka Toys Ford "t.f.d" Fire Ladder Tt Truck 50s Nice V Rare 100% OriginalHubley Wilkins Kenton Cast Iron Horse Drawn Fire Pumper Toy Nickeled (dakotapaulCustom Fdny Alf Mack American Lafrance Ladder Tiller Fire Truck Ho Scale KitbashRare 1959 Tonka #48 Ladder Fire Truck, White, Only Year Made, All Original!!!Code 3 - Chicago Fire Department Luverne Pumper #102 - W/ Coa - Nib - 1/32 - KTwh 1:50 Pierce Quantum Fire Pumper Engine #2 1 Of 125 New Twh081b1920's American National Fire Truck Original Body With Ladder RacksVintage - Siren Federal Signal - Fire Truck, Car Siren - 12 VoltAntique Vintage Sireno No. 7 Siren Police Fire Truck Ambulance Military Ratrod Code 3 Fdny New York Ladder 10 Diecast Fire Truck 1:64 Scale Nib No ReserveFire Truck Peddle CarSmall Vtg Mars Siren Fire Engine Truck Ambulance Hot Rat Rod Scta Old Car TruckVintage "banner Toy" Red Fire Engine No. 1143 Aerial Ladder Truck C.f.d1941 Gmc Pumper Usa Army Fire Truck Scale 1:16 Highway 61Rare Antique Chicago Fire Dept Captain Fireman's Badge ~ Engine 63 1920's American National Fire Truck Original Chemical TanksKitbash 1/64 Code 3/amercom 1965 Mack/maxim Fdny Truck 39 100ft Tda Fire EngineAntique Vintage Working Fire Truck/motorcycle Siren Post Paid!Rare Chevrolet Cio Suburban ~ Western Models ~ Kim's Classics No 3 ~ Fire TruckNew In Box Mth 30-76403 Union Pacific Flat Car W/'23 Maxim C1 Fire Truck Vtg 1910-1920s Running Board Trunk Tool Box Old Car Truck Model A T Ford Rat Rod1950s Buddy-l Gmc Hook & Ladder Fire Truck "nice Original"no Reserve"Hubley Fire Arcade Cast Iron Fire Horses Pumper Early Antique Old Vintage Die1950Vintage Set Of 2 Unity S6 Fire Truck Search Spot Lights Ashton Models Bristol Pa 1927 Ahrens Fox Chemical Fire TruckFranklin Mint Five Alarms Horse Drawn Steam Fire EngineAfx Re-creation Of 1983 Fire Truck Prototype No. 4Fire Truck Code 3 Arrowstik Fire TruckVintage 1950s Wm. Doepke Model Toys 28" Long Russmoyne Fire Ladder Truck6pc Lot 1986 Hess Gasoline Toy Fire Truck Mib Mint In BoxLot 3 First Gear Fire Truck 1:34 Ward Lafrance Pumper Mack L 1976 Kenworth Nr Vintage Burns Novelty Pedal Car Fire Truck 2oz 1939 Buffalo Fire Engine .999 Silver Round2oz First Responder E-1 Fire Engine .999 Silver RoundWard Lafrance Fire Engine,emergency Vehicle Namplate,builder's Plate Set (3)Highway 61 1/16 1948 International Kb5 Coburg Fire Dept Fire Truck Nib

Recent News: Fire Trucks

Source: Google News

Parade of history planned for Corvallis firefighter gathering - The Billings ...
Billings Gazette, May 18th

The Corvallis Rural Fire District is seeking other antique and classic fire and emergency medical service apparatus and equipment for the parade from private individuals, firefighting and emergency medical providers, classic car clubs and more. The two...Read more

Building a Spirit of Place is a call to the Keene community
The Keene Sentinel, May 18th

Dubbed the “city wish list,” 2012 projects included refurbishing the city's war memorial, an antique fire truck and the amphitheater at Robin Hood Park. This year's program goes bigger. It still includes some of last year's projects, but introduces...Read more

Muncie fire union unveiling new museum, hall
Muncie Star Press, May 18th

Memorabilia from past local fire departments is displayed in the firefighting museum at 418 E. Main Street Thursday. The museum is set to open Saturday. / Jordan Kartholl/ The Star Press. Written by. Andrew Walker. Filed Under. News · Local News...Read more

Bedington VFD celebrates 50 years
Martinsburg Journal, May 17th

Standing in front of Bedington's first fire truck are orginal members, from left, Paul Mummert, Bob Gregory, Howard Lefevre, Raymond Lefevre, Curtiss Lefevre, Meadie Gochenour and Charles Marting. Volunteers hang a sign on the side of a barn in...Read more

Cardiff returns 1925 fire truck bell to original owners
Shore News Today, May 17th

In 1925, Island Heights Volunteer Fire Company out of Island Heights, N.J. purchased a REO Fire Truck from the U.S. Fire Apparatus of Wilmington, Del. It was delivered to Island Heights on Jan. 8, 1926. The truck was equipped with ladders, hose and...Read more

Great barbeque, fun activities, and funding to help local students
UpNorthLive.com, May 17th

Throughout the day there are multiple free activities - including a cake walk, hair painting, obstacle courses, a climbing wall, and rides on an antique fire truck. There's also a raffle, student pottery sale, classroom and program displays, free...Read more

comment(s)
Fayetteville Observer, May 17th

The restaurant, which features firefighting memorabilia from local departments and a mural of Hope Mills Lake, offers a variety of hot and cold subs along with chili and salads. The subs can be dressed up with about 50 varieties of sauces. Specialities...Read more

Antique Fire Truck Comes Home
wnep.com, April 26th

TAMAQUA — A fire truck that dates back to the 1920s is back home in Schuylkill County. The truck journeyed to other parts of the country and has now returned to Tamaqua. The last time the truck was in Tamaqua was more than 50 years ago. Now it's back...Read more