Vintage US Military WWII WW2 Hand Pump Water Fire Extinguisher Civil Defense War

Description

Vtg Antique World War Two Civil Defense Pump Tank Water Fire Extinguisher EMPTY
Designed to be used by two or more persons to extinguish incipient fires and prevent the ignition of exposed combustibles while accelerating the burnout of incendiary bombs. The four gallon capacity was the largest quantity of water that two healthy adults could carry for extended periods and distances using the two carrying handles.
The pump was operated by one user while the nozzle was aimed by the other. The galvanized steel cover of a trash bin was to be used to shield the nozzle person from the spatters of molten magnesium thrown off by a burning incendiary bomb. The hose was long enough that the operator could stand upright to work the pump away from the burning incendiary. Nozzle is fitted with a deflector to make a fan spray to wet down adjacent combustibles and gently apply water to the incendiary itself to accelerate it's burnout. If water was applied too forcefully it would penetrate the burning molten magnesium, flash into steam, and scatter burning magnesium thus spreading the fire. The fill opening is large enough to allow resupply the tank with water to continue the operation without interruption until the incendiary had burned out and any remaining fire could be extinguished.
Untested selling as is, it does pump up and down as it should. Measures about 26 1/2" tall, 10 1/2" diameter at the top.