Vehicle Description
The roots of Ahrens-Fox go back to 1904 when Chris Ahrens - whose
Ahrens Manufacturing Company had merged with the American Fire
Engine Company in 1891 - established The Ahrens Fire Engine
Company. Joined by his sons John and Fred, as well as sons-in Law
George Krapp and Charles Fox, initial production focused on steam
power, but the firm gradually made the switch to reliable and
user-friendly gasoline. When Fox assumed the presidency in 1908,
the company name was changed to Ahrens-Fox. Long known for the
highest quality fire apparatus available, even in 2023, the name is
still alive as the top-tier brand produced by the HME Ahrens-Fox
corporation. Whether steam or gasoline-powered, Ahrens-Fox
equipment was beautifully engineered, powerful, and built to last.
During 1918, Ahrens-Fox innovations included the signature
spherical chrome air chamber, which dampened the action of the pump
to reduce the vibration transmitted to the business end of the hose
on a pumper, like this six-cylinder Model M Pumper. The Model M was
fitted with a 750 GPM (gallons-per-minute) four-piston pump,
Ahrens-Fox's own mighty six-cylinder monobloc engine, and a stout
chain-driven rear axle via a three-speed gearbox. Mounted out
front, ahead of the engine, the pump and its trademark chrome
sphere dominate the view. Truck 858 was first delivered to the
Mount Vernon Fire Department in Westchester County, New York. The
engine served loyally for many years, and to keep it in service
longer, at some point, the original artillery wheels and solid
rubber tires were replaced with more modern steel wheels mounted
with pneumatic tires, massively improving on-road performance and
giving a less punishing ride for all those aboard. Papers on file
show that Mount Vernon Fire Department appeared to have traded it
to Seagrave Corporation in the early 1950s after it was retired.
Car enthusiast and "horse trader" Mr. Stuart Sears of Milford, CT,
acquired it from Segrave for $100.00 and sold it in 1953 to Chief
John Tweed of the Branford, Connecticut, fire department. The truck
was a fixture in the Branford community for many years, and it
remained in the Tweed family ever since, passing to his son, who
restored it and owned it until his recent death. This Model M has
quite a presence in its gleaming dark red paint. Well detailed,
most of the striping and markings are in gold leaf, and there are
plenty of brightly polished fittings and fixtures. Outfitted as a
"quad combination," it is equipped with ground ladders, a small
chemical tank, a hose bed, and, of course, that massive pump out
front. The accessories are in excellent condition and primarily
period-correct, including the dual wooden ladders, new hose for the
rear-mounted reel, and period-style brass extinguishers for the
running board mounts. Overall, this wonderful old Model M pumper is
a very collectible and desirable early Ahrens-Fox that can be
enjoyed in various manners, including parades and exhibitions.
While indeed an imposing presence, it is of a manageable size for
most collections and is relatively straightforward to drive. The
powerful Ahrens inline-six produced an ocean of torque while
emitting a distinctive big-bore, six-cylinder bellow. It will
surely put a smile on the face of even the most jaded collector!
More than 100 years after it first responded to a fire alarm, the
fantastic Ahrens-Fox still exudes quality and can rightly be called
the Rolls-Royce of fire apparatus. Offers welcome, and trades
considered For additional details please view this listing directly
on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7553-1918-ahrens-fox-m-k-4-pumper-firetruck/
