Early Paddy wagon. What year and make?

[sftamx1]

[zeke01]

How do I put this? The term paddy wagon is offensive. I know you don’t  mean the term that way, but think about it. Substitute Kike or the N word. How would it sound . No offense taken. Zeke

[95Cardinal]

Might it be an Autocar chassis?

The image is dated 1911; most trucks in that time period were chain drive but it looks like this one has a differential.

[Studemax]

4 hours ago, zeke01 said:

How do I put this? The term paddy wagon is offensive. I know you don’t  mean the term that way, but think about it. Substitute Kike or the N word. How would it sound . No offense taken. Zeke

 

Seriously? You realize most cops were IRISH back then?

[Guest]

It's a Franklin Black Maria/Paddy Wagon circa 1910. I think they stopped making these in 1912, maybe some Franklin guys have more details?

 

Here's a photo of one of these with 1919 DC plates. I imagine it would have been quite outdated by then. Note there's something missing off the front, a siren or alarm bell maybe?

 

You can download a very high resolution scan of this photo from the Library of Congress website here (choose either of the TIFF options):

 

https://www.loc.gov/item/2016855436/

 

http://www.dcmetropolicecollector.com/MPD-Past-Fleet.html

 

Edited June 12, 2021 by Andrew46Coupe (see edit history)

[95Cardinal]

@Andrew46Coupe Nailed it!

[UCGHandyman]

I was wondering if they might be called Paddy wagons because of being padded inside? I suppose it has to do with the Irish from hints I've taken here.