There is disclosed a valve assembly and a reciprocating type fluid pump having a piston cylinder and a cylinder head together which define a fluid chamber. A first ring valve having a seal surface on one side is disposed within the fluid chamber adjacent to the cylinder head to close at least one fluid intake passage. A bias means is provided for urging the first ring valve against the seat on the head by abutting the ring valve on the side opposite from the seal surface, and the bias means includes a peripheral region which is connected to the fluid pump and retains the first ring valve between the cylinder head and the bias means.