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Early fire engines have been designated as “hand-tub pumpers” or just “hand pumpers,” meaning water was collected by hand and bucket or an external hose and fed to the engine. Once the water was supplied, the handles on either side could be pumped up and down, driving the pistons and producing enough pressure to shoot water to astonishing heights.
This particular hand pumper was manufactured between 1840 – 1882 by Cowing & Company of Seneca Falls. The actual age and history of the pumper are virtually unknown. Still, it can be assumed that the pumper was used for industrial or commercial purposes, as it is small enough to move around inside a building.
