About Rick and Marcia Knife
I have been a member of the MVAFAA since 1981. I have served
as President of the organization, while my wife, Marcia, has been the
Secretary/Newsletter Editor. We have also been chairs of the Troy Strawberry
Festival muster between 1985-1991.I have worked at Miami Valley International Truck in Dayton for the past 40 years. Marcia and I have two married girls and have three grandchildren. I am very active in the Casstown Volunteer Fire Company, Cove Spring Church, Cove Spring Grange, and many other antique fire clubs. I have been an avid collector since 1980—that is when I bought a fire alarm box from a Piqua city auction. Shortly after that I was the winning bidder (by one cent) on a 1953 Ford that Casstown was retiring. I have also restored several pieces of fire apparatus.
Our Collection
We have a working alarm system in our house along with a brass fire pole originally from Baltimore, Maryland. We have two rooms full of memorabilia. This collection doesn’t include the “treasures” in the garage, shed, barn, and what is in storage. We collect anything fire-related. We have many unusual items that you really must see to believe. Contact me at mknife@woh.rr.com.
1916 Brockway/American LaFrance chemical/hose—Ex. Richmond, IN
1926 American LaFrance Serial #5751 SPAAMFAA #1—Ex. Watervaliet, OH
1928 General-St. Louis 750 GPM pumper—Ex. Troy, OH
1930 Ahrens-Fox piston pumper/city service ladder, Serial
#1776—Ex.
Middletown, OH
1943 Seagrave 85’ ladder truck—Ex. Moline, IL
1947 Crosley Fire Department Fun Car
1949 FWD 750 GPM pumper, 4-wheel drive—Ex. Troy, OH
1954 GMC/Ahrens Fox 750 GPM pumper—Ex. St. Paris, OH
1975 Sutphen 1250 GPM pumper—Ex. West Milton, OH
Circa 1880 hand pumper—Ex. Mad River Twp., OH
Circa 1880 hand-drawn ladder wagon
Circa 1900 Wirt Knox hose cart
Circa 1920 Prospect chemical cart
