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Rumsey and Company Limited Fire Hand Pumper, c. 1875

Manufacturer
Datec. 1885
MediumWood; Metal
DimensionsDimensions: 345 × 117 × 165 cm (135 13/16 × 46 1/16 × 64 15/16 in.)
Object numberRCM.2022.002.001
CollectionRemington Carriage Museum Collection
Remington Terms
Description
A fire hand pumper with a wooden tank, steel tires, folding brakes, and a hose with 'Fort Macleod' stenciled onto it. The front of the gear features a fifth wheel steering mechanism, while the back wheels are affixed directly to the tank. Access to the pump mechanism and the inside of the tank is gained through hatches in the tank’s top. This vehicle was not designed to carry passengers and was manually operated.
More Information
This pumper was originally used in Fort Macleod, Alberta by the North West Mounted Police. To operate it, the brakes fold open and people on each side of the vehicle would use them to manually move the pumps inside up and down, forcing water through the hose. The term 'brakes' here is a little misleading; instead of referring to a mechanism that halts the vehicle's movement, the brakes are the metal arms mounted on the top of the vehicle. The left side still holds the wooden handle.