I have very little background on this item. I call it late 1800 but could be as late as 1910 because it may be a model of a very early self propelled ladder truck. I spent some time looking it over. This is really early and considering how fragile and small all the handmade details are its in amazing condition for its age. The more you look the more surprises you’ll find. It has tiny hand cranks and pulleys and little details that go far beyond a toy. I also call it a salesmen’s sample but it can also be a patent model. There is a hole on the side to take a key. We tried making a key to test what I believe it has a clockwork mechanism. The key turns but it may have a bad spring. The ladder has a ratcheted hand crank that nicely changes the angle and raises the 2 part ladder. The tires and rubber hoses confirm the age for me. we show some close ups. This amazing model came out of the important and is signed J.W. Carpenter Collection… 7″x 16″x 20″… $6500