Alert American LaFrance Model DS Copper Brass Fire Extinguisher With Hose 24"

Description

Vintage Alert Model DS Copper Brass Fire Extinguisher With Hose
Some Relative History:
The soda-acid extinguisher was first patented in 1866 by Francois Carlier of France, which mixed a solution of water and sodium bicarbonate with tartaric acid, producing the propellant CO2 gas. A soda-acid extinguisher was patented in the U.S. in 1881 by Almon M. Granger. His extinguisher used the reaction between sodium bicarbonate solution and sulfuric acid to expel pressurized water onto a fire. A vial of concentrated sulfuric acid was suspended in the cylinder. Depending on the type of extinguisher, the vial of acid could be broken in one of two ways. One used a plunger to break the acid vial, while the second released a lead stopple that held the vial closed. Once the acid was mixed with the bicarbonate solution, carbon dioxide gas was expelled and thereby pressurized the water. The pressurized water was forced from the canister through a nozzle or short length of hose. (credit: Wikipedia)
Instructions that correspond with the afore mentioned propellant mixture can be found on the face of this extinguisher in a box labeled "TO CHARGE"
To the best of my knowledge this type of extinguisher was used in the 1940's.