Just to be clear, we are getting parade pictures/video, correct?
(That's really not a question. )
Cool shooting video. That would have been extremely difficult with that setup. Good shooting.

 

Its surprising just how heavy a fully loaded Thompson is isn't it? I got to hold one once that a Police chief I knew had, but I was not able to fire it. It must have been a real thrill for you, cool!!!

 

Thanks Guys!!

Joe, I will do my best to get a video!!

Jimmy it sure was a thrill! My Left shoulder was killing me the next day. I think I pulled something. Its finally starting to feel better. Yes, those guns are heavy. I can only imagine how heavy they must be with a 100 round drum magazine!

 

Thompson w/ a 100 round drum mag . is front heavy .Keeps the gun down under a short burst . A full 100 round fire is very difficult . You end up shooting birds 1/3 the way thru .Had the opportunity to fire my brothers in 'Oct '31 . We shot for 3 1/2 hrs. Al sizes of pistols & hand guns . Sighted in a custom made .257 Roberts w/ a Belgium Mauser action , one off custom made English Walnut stock ( the one & only stock I will ever make ) , black chrome barrel & hardware . .45 , 17 cal. match rifle . 30.06 MI Garand & many more . Had some exploding tannenite targets. After all that I was JACKED UP !!! After all that went to see my Mom at the Assisted care center . She asked me what I di that afternoon I said went shooting with the brothers for 3 1/2 hrs. Also added shooting the machine gun was a trip . The look on the 2 ladies sitting across from her was priceless !

 

Denny it sounds like you had a great time!!

I forgot to post what I found recently. A video from 1896 that show firemen responding to a fire in Chicago. Th 3rd wagon full of men, I believe are Patrolmen!!

Stock Footage - Firemen rushing to fight a fire.Fire horses race on Michigan Avenue, Chicago, with firemen and apparatus.

 

Great video Keith. I have pictures of my grand farther and great grand farther working on the stemmers.

 

Thats great!! Could you post them here? I would love to see them if you don't mind!

 

Excellent stuff as usual Keith. Its great watching that old footage.


Yea, Jim, we'd love to see this pictures of your kin at work.


Bobby

 

Damn, If the smoke from the fire didn't get you, The smoke from
the boiler would. I wonder if they left a fire going in a pumper at all
times as on standby?

 

Thanks Keith. I'll post them one day. Have to dig them up.


Artic Y block.. According to my grandfather, they would have the boiler stacked , ready to go. They had kindling and some fast burning starter material. When the alarm came in, the first one to the firehouse would light it off. By the time they got to the fire, they would have enough heat to fire the boiler and pump water.

 

The one in your vid looks like it may be burning coal.
Or maybe Black Industrial crude oil. Not much steam,
just heavy lung sucking black thick smoke. I would love
to have an old pump like that to play with. Hell maybe
just restore an old steam Locomotive. That could be your
next restoration Keith.

 

That video could have been my grandfather. He was a chief in Chicago at a Michigan Ave fire house. My cousin ( A captain in CFD) has the family pics but gramps had a team of 3 white horses that pulled his pumper. The lead horse was blind and would go almost directly into a fire until the heat stopped him. After each fire run he had to have his pipe to smoke or he would just about tear his stall down. The fire house is now a restaurant but kept the decor of the fire house and a lot of old pics. Went there one time and told them that was my grandfather, they gave us a free desert! Nice people

 

Thanks Guys!!

Dave, do you have your grandfathers CFD service records? Maybe your cousin might have them? If you don't, give me his name and I can get them for you if you'd like. A friend has all the records on his computer and can pull them up quickly.

 

Captain Patrick O'Conor. He died when my mom was six years old. That would have been about 1926 or 27. I'll ask my cousin if he has or would like the info. Thanks for the offer I'll let you know

 

No problem Dave ... let me know.