Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 15
1929 Seagrave 6.W.T Fire Pumper Serial no. 60656
Sold for US$67,200 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 15
From the Estate of Andrew W. Edmonds
1929 Seagrave 6.W.T Fire Pumper
1929 Seagrave 6.W.T Fire Pumper
Audrain Concours Auction|29 September 2023, 16:00 EDT|Newport, Rhode Island, International Tennis Hall of Fame
1929 Seagrave 6.W.T Fire Pumper
Serial no. 60656
Serial no. 60656
225ci, T-Head Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Single Carburetor
130bhp
3-Speed Manual Transmission with chain final drive
Semi-Elliptic Leaf Suspension
2-Wheel Brakes
*In the Edmonds Collection since the 1960s
*Exquisitely restored and liveried
*Showpiece of Edmonds' Fernwood Fire Department
*Every home should have one!
THE SEAGRAVE
The oldest manufacturer of fire-fighting apparatus in the USA, the Seagrave company was founded in Detroit, Michigan in 1881 by carpenter Fredric Seagrave. With origins in ladder and wagon manufacturing, The Seagrave Company began building pumping engines in about 1900. They then revolutionized fire-fighting in 1901 with their patented spring assisted ladder, which alleviated the labor-intensive and time-consuming need to erect long-ladders by hand. Seagrave's system was hand-cranked and unfolded a series of segments into a long extension ladder system to fight fires in city buildings. In 1907, Seagrave adopted self-propelled fire trucks and gave up on old-fashioned horsepower.
Seagrave proved to be an innovator yet again when it developed the centrifugal pump in 1912. This type of pump worked well when powered by a gasoline engine and allowed water flow to be shut off at the nozzle without damaging the pump or bursting the hose. As an added benefit, centrifugal pumps were relatively simple, reliable, and actually were improved in time as the sand and other grit in the water actually polished the pump's components and reduced friction.
Seagrave remained in Columbus until 1963 when it moved to Clintonville, Wisconsin following its purchase by FWD, another company with a rich history in producing fire apparatus under its own brand. FWD had been founded in 1909 as the Four Wheel Drive Automobile Company, and quickly established itself as the foremost manufacturer of heavy-duty chassis for both military and commercial applications. Seagrave remains in Clintonville today and continues to produce a comprehensive range of fire-fighting apparatus.
THE FIRE TRUCK OFFERED
Andrew Edmonds' 1920s Seagrave appears to have been acquired by him in the late 1950s or early 1960s. According to a note on file it was sold new in 1929, then returned to the factory and was resold by the works in 1930 to York, Maine. In addition to this note on file is an original Seagrave Centrifugal Pumping Engine Proposal and Specifications brochure. This fascinating period document comprehensively details the 750 gallon per minute machine, its specifications, and its price of $8,500. It is believed that the machine noted in this brochure and that offered are one and the same.
As early as May 1961, Mr. Edmonds was invoiced by Hedlund Motor Sales Inc. for a complete restoration of the Seagrave, with the summary bill totaling $2,401! Now in a black livery as opposed to red of the York, Maine department, nonetheless it still wore Engine Number 2 proudly on its tanks. It seems that from that point the Seagrave was back in use and, according to invoices on file, would continue to be used and maintained by prominent Northeast restorers including George Waterman's Vetco New England in the 1970s. Testament to its condition, it was awarded as an AACA National First Prize Winner 1993.
For more than 60 years the Seagrave was cherished by Andrew W. Edmonds and it is easy to see why; its combination of majestic presence and exquisite presentation gives it an immediate charisma and charm. Moreover, the exceptional level of detail provides endless points of interest and note, from its fire equipment to the way in which it has been restored, with literally no detail left unfinished. Even the gold leaf emblazoned hood is beautifully decorated with an illustration of the predecessor to these: a horse drawn fire apparatus.
A machine that is sure to give as much joy to those who see it on the road as those behind the wheel, this wonderful and much loved Seagrave would provide a focal point in any collection, museum, or village fire department.
Single Carburetor
130bhp
3-Speed Manual Transmission with chain final drive
Semi-Elliptic Leaf Suspension
2-Wheel Brakes
*In the Edmonds Collection since the 1960s
*Exquisitely restored and liveried
*Showpiece of Edmonds' Fernwood Fire Department
*Every home should have one!
THE SEAGRAVE
The oldest manufacturer of fire-fighting apparatus in the USA, the Seagrave company was founded in Detroit, Michigan in 1881 by carpenter Fredric Seagrave. With origins in ladder and wagon manufacturing, The Seagrave Company began building pumping engines in about 1900. They then revolutionized fire-fighting in 1901 with their patented spring assisted ladder, which alleviated the labor-intensive and time-consuming need to erect long-ladders by hand. Seagrave's system was hand-cranked and unfolded a series of segments into a long extension ladder system to fight fires in city buildings. In 1907, Seagrave adopted self-propelled fire trucks and gave up on old-fashioned horsepower.
Seagrave proved to be an innovator yet again when it developed the centrifugal pump in 1912. This type of pump worked well when powered by a gasoline engine and allowed water flow to be shut off at the nozzle without damaging the pump or bursting the hose. As an added benefit, centrifugal pumps were relatively simple, reliable, and actually were improved in time as the sand and other grit in the water actually polished the pump's components and reduced friction.
Seagrave remained in Columbus until 1963 when it moved to Clintonville, Wisconsin following its purchase by FWD, another company with a rich history in producing fire apparatus under its own brand. FWD had been founded in 1909 as the Four Wheel Drive Automobile Company, and quickly established itself as the foremost manufacturer of heavy-duty chassis for both military and commercial applications. Seagrave remains in Clintonville today and continues to produce a comprehensive range of fire-fighting apparatus.
THE FIRE TRUCK OFFERED
Andrew Edmonds' 1920s Seagrave appears to have been acquired by him in the late 1950s or early 1960s. According to a note on file it was sold new in 1929, then returned to the factory and was resold by the works in 1930 to York, Maine. In addition to this note on file is an original Seagrave Centrifugal Pumping Engine Proposal and Specifications brochure. This fascinating period document comprehensively details the 750 gallon per minute machine, its specifications, and its price of $8,500. It is believed that the machine noted in this brochure and that offered are one and the same.
As early as May 1961, Mr. Edmonds was invoiced by Hedlund Motor Sales Inc. for a complete restoration of the Seagrave, with the summary bill totaling $2,401! Now in a black livery as opposed to red of the York, Maine department, nonetheless it still wore Engine Number 2 proudly on its tanks. It seems that from that point the Seagrave was back in use and, according to invoices on file, would continue to be used and maintained by prominent Northeast restorers including George Waterman's Vetco New England in the 1970s. Testament to its condition, it was awarded as an AACA National First Prize Winner 1993.
For more than 60 years the Seagrave was cherished by Andrew W. Edmonds and it is easy to see why; its combination of majestic presence and exquisite presentation gives it an immediate charisma and charm. Moreover, the exceptional level of detail provides endless points of interest and note, from its fire equipment to the way in which it has been restored, with literally no detail left unfinished. Even the gold leaf emblazoned hood is beautifully decorated with an illustration of the predecessor to these: a horse drawn fire apparatus.
A machine that is sure to give as much joy to those who see it on the road as those behind the wheel, this wonderful and much loved Seagrave would provide a focal point in any collection, museum, or village fire department.
Saleroom notices
Noted lot is available for preview by appointment only at Audrain Park Place in Portsmouth, RI. Removal, at the buyer's expense, must be made no later than October 1, 2023 and will require advance notice. To make arrangements to view the lot and for further information please contact [email protected].
Additional information
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