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 race 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/
