$280 · Brass Horn Bellows Air Pump and Siren system 1880's

This is a very rare Genuine Antique Victorian SIEBE GORMAN & Co Ltd of London, Manual Bellow Air Pump System, circa 1880. This is a foot operated air supply pump for either a Deep Sea Diving Helmet or Firefighters Smoke Helmet. The Siebel Gorman Company added the large brass horn to the bellow pump and sold it as a Fire Siren or FOG HORN for maritime sailors and fishermen to sound out to approaching ships, or to alert sailors of on board dangers. History relating to Siebe Gorman & Co Ltd. Siebe Gorman & Co Ltd was a British company which developed diving equipment and breathing equipment and worked on commercial diving and marine salvage projects. The company advertised itself as 'Submarine Engineers'. It was founded by Augustus Siebe and his son-in-law, Gorman. Siebe Gorman & Co was notable for developing the closed diving helmet of the standard diving dress and associated equipment. As the helmet was sealed to the diving suit, it was watertight, unlike the previous open helmet systems. The new equipment was safer and more efficient and revolutionized underwater work from the 1830s. To the millions of diving enthusiasts, Augustus Siebe is known as the Godfather of Diving. Siebe managed his business together with son in law Gorman - Which is one of the reasons for the Company to be called as Siebe Gorman & Co. The company is no longer in business as a devastating fire sadly destroyed it. . It measures approximately 21" (53.5cm) long, 10.5" (26.6cm) wide and 24" (33cm) high. A fantastic rare Antique find for a Firefighting or Diver / Maritime collector.