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Brandywine Hundred Fire Co. No. 1
1930 Hahn Antique Pumper Model FD6 Serial No. 6268
Our antique was built in Allentown, PA by the Hahn Truck Corporation with a 500 GPM No.888 Northern rotary pump. Continental engine, 200 gallon booster tank and was delivered new in 1931. The cost was $6,500. Chief driver was H. Bentz Hurst a Charter Member who also became Chief Emeritus. It was in service for 35 years until 1965 when it was retired to other ownerships. The truck was repurchased in 1994 (an absence of 29 years) and has become part of our volunteer fire company's history to be enjoyed by members and the community.
Back when the truck was new it went through Underwriters' tests in Wilmington at the pier off 4th street where the Wilson Line ships were kept.
On May 23, 1931 a housing was held at the fire house in Bellefonte with a parade. The total cost was $224.03 including $50 for the American Legion Band.
Due to a shortage of man power during World War II, some members of the Ladies Auxiliary joined the fire company and took fire training using the Hahn and rode on it to fires.
 BHFC Ladies Chief Charles Honey, Sr. Fire training
Around 1947 the original Continental engine was removed from the 1930 Hahn and put into our 1931 Hahn. A new engine was purchased and installed in the antique. The new engine was a Waukesha 6SRKR six cylinder engine with dual ignition and more power. This engine lasted 60 years until 2008 when it had to be replaced. The pumper is the only truck in the firehouse left with a bell. The children love to ring it. Back in 1948 we had three Hahn pumpers, 1930, 1931 and 1948.
The truck and members have participated in numerous parades in the community - Mt. Pleasant homecoming parade each year, Halloween parades, July 4th parade at Green Acres, etc. We have also gone to fire musters, antique car and truck shows winning trophies. It is taken to the DVFA conference parade and judging every September in Dover. In 2013 we came in 5th in the state. The unit is always on display in the engine bay for visitors and on display at our open house held every October.
 DVFA Parade - Dover 2013 - Pictured: D. McKay W. Hurst B. Weatherlow
We have done restoration work since 1994. including redoing chrome, bench seat reupholstering by our member Jim Salvatore, new tires, wheels painted, hood restored to put gold leaf and company name back on using a photo taken in 1931 and new brake system. The truck is well maintained by our members and the Antique Truck Committee.
In 2008 we discovered that the engine in the truck since 1948 had a badly cracked block that could not be repaired. The exact same engine was found at Jobbers Warehouse in Philadelphia. They had parts in their shop to completely rebuild it like new. The old engine was taken out by Craig Miller, Delaware Truck Service in Wilmington. The newly rebuilt engine was hauled from Philadelphia in our Chief Finocchiaro’s dump truck down to Delaware Truck Service shop in Wilmington and installed by Craig. We had the radiator completely rebuilt along with the clutch. He also fixed the transfer case that was leaking and installed a new emergency brake while it was shopped. These projects took from June 2008 to July 2009.
 Newly Rebuilt Engine @ Jobbers' Warehouse In Philadelphia - Pictured: V. O'Donnell, D. McKay and W. Baker (Mechanic)
 New Engine Being installed By Delaware Truck Service In Wilmington, DE
In January of 2012 we had the transmission pulled by Delaware Truck Service and it was sent by truck to John of Roxbury Gearbox in Roxbury, Vermont. The DuPont Company in Edgemoor packaged it up for shipment, and their loading dock was used to pick it up for the trip to Vermont. The restored transmission was returned from Vermont to Delaware Truck Service where Craig installed it back into the antique. This project took from January 16, 2012 to May 17, 2012.
We take pride in our antique fire truck, are happy to have it back since 1994 and wish it a long life into the future for us and the community.
 Antique Being Hauled To DVFA Parade In Dover, DE By Greggo & Ferrara
02-13-2014
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