"Indian" Tank Extinguisher, circa 1945. Brick Store Museum Collection.  Gift of the Kennebunk Volunteer Fire Department, 1987.  87.86

This hand-operated fire extinguisher was the type used by the Kennebunk Fire Department used throughout the mid 20th century.  A rubber hose with a wooden nozzle attaches to the copper and brass, backpack-style tank.  A cap on the top removes for filling.  The back of the tank has ventilation holes to help keep the firefighter cool.  The cap and bottom of this “Indian” tank model bear the manufacturer’s markings of D. B. Smith and Company of Utica, New York. 

Small tanks like this one were among the equipment firefighters had at their disposal in fending the great fire of 1947 that swept huge sections of the state of Maine.