Engine One is a 1922 American LaFrance pumper that served Larchmont until 1948. The Historical Society is undertaking a restoration of the engine back to its condition in the 1920s. In order to complete an historically accurate restoration, the Historical Society‘s Fire History Committee has conducted an extensive research project about the origins of Engine One and the original technical specifications.
Assuring the Identity of Engine One
Engine One's American LaFrance Registration Number
How do we know that the Engine One we have is … for sure … the actual engine that Larchmont used on the 1920s? When the Volunteer Fire Companies were originally contacted by the Cooper Family in Washington, the family sent photographs including a photo of the vehicle identification plate – including the factory serial number that uniquely identifies each American LaFrance fire engine. The American LaFrance museum in South Carolina confirmed that the serial number was the same as the one in their records for the 1922 engine shipped to Larchmont.
Acquiring the Factory Records
Through the American LaFrance museum, the Fire History Committee acquired a copy of the original factory records of Engine One, which translate the details of Larchmont‘s original order when the Engine was purchased, and which records changes that were made as the engine was built. A links to the scanned version of the original records is posted on our site.
If you think village government in 1922 must have been a model of efficiency, these records will change your mind. The original order was dated October 10, 1922 and change orders came in on November 7, 10, 11 and 13! Change orders always announced to the factory workers: “All data now specified is annulled. The following MUST be installed.” Larchmont ordered changes to the transmission, the pump, the rear fenders, and even the length of the rear step at the back.
Was Engine One Painted Red or White?
Engine One, as it left Larchmont in 1947, was painted red. How-ever, the Historical Society has a photograph (apparently from 1938) showing Engine One apparently painted white above and a darker color (presumably red) below. We checked the factory record, and it clearly specifies that the body, fenders, seat, and tool box are to be painted white, and the frames, springs, axles and wheels are to be red.
Finding Parts
An important part of the restoration process involves finding replacements for missing or broken parts. The specification provides a long list of parts including lanterns, ladders, fire extinguishers and tools, as well as some rather esoteric equipment such as a ―chemical tank‖ that worked like a large, old-fashioned fire extinguisher. The tank contained a fluid that was slightly acidic (like vinegar) and the firefighters had a pouch with pellets that were a base substance (reactive with acid, like baking soda.) High school chemistry majors – and Cub Scouts – know that when you mix baking soda and vinegar, you get a fizzy release of carbon dioxide. That‘s the way this tank worked, producing 40 gallons of high-pressure water to apply within moments after Engine One would arrive at a fire. When the Larchmonter Times referred to Engine One as the “very last word in fire fighting machinery” that‘s what they were thinking about.
Engine One's antique wooden wheels are primed.
How do we locate the parts? Members of the LHS Fire History Committee have joined historical fire equipment associations and monitor the publications, and even Ebay.com, for parts. We‘ve already located some original lanterns, a set of six pistons and a set of pistons. When four original-equipment wooden wheels became available, our restorer negotiated a fair price and the Historical Society snapped them up.
Marching Uniforms
When Engine One returns to Larchmont, the Historical Society will not be responding to fire alarms, but we will be responding to invitations for local celebrations, parades and educational events. When we are invited to an event, we want to arrive with Engine One in our uniforms. Therefore, the fire history commit-tee is researching historical firefighting uniforms from Larchmont, Mamaroneck and the surrounding region.
