ARP Stirrup Pump

ARP stirrup pump, these were used to put water onto burning incendiary bombs and then the scoop and hoe collect them and dump into a bucket where sand could be put on to make sure they stayed extinguished.

This example is scarce now as it has its hose and sprayer, may have been repainted but unusual to see this complete.

Thousands of these pumps were made by various companies and in many different basic styles, marketed before WW2 for many different uses, including for washing cars (!) these came into their own during the Blitz and were purchased by Householders, businesses and Councils for their ARP Departments.

Every ARP post was equipped with a least one along with Scoop, Hoe and buckets of water and sand ready for that nights raids.

100,000's of incendiary bombs were dropped on Britain, particularly during the Blitz, sometimes as may as 10,000 in a single raid, the thrreat posed to homes and manufacturing was severe and the ARP, Businesses and Householders all had to do what they could to control the threat.

Not known if working, they usually do, but why would it need to be?