Fire Fighting & Insurance

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All our stock is old, original, in excellent order and ready for use. We carry no modern or reproductions. We welcome your telephone calls +44 (0)1488 682317 or by email to hofgartner@belowstairs.co.uk for further information on any of the catalogue items or your other requirements or if you have any difficulties ordering through our system.

Online Catalogue > Fire Fighting & Insurance


	Pyrene Fire Extinguisher Ashtray A192 Original, quality 1930's circular brass ashtray with three cigarette rests and "most of all" a miniature Pyrene hand-held fire extinguisher detailing "Pyrene Kills Fire & Saves Lives". This delightful item is the first we have seen and was originally all nickel plated as one can see from the underside. All is complete and in good order otherwise. 5.25" tall. 5" widest. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £385.00


	Copper Fire Extinguisher FE37 Original, quality 1920's / 30's all copper cylindrical fire extinguisher with embossed brass labels to the front and cast brass fittings, the top cap, the hose mount and a handle to the reverse. The labels detail, top "John Kew & Co 8 South Parade, Manchester England", middle "The Underwriters Fire Extinguisher, to play turn bottom up, to stop turn back" and bottom "Charging Directions" in detail. The rubber hose is missing and the base ring has some dents, otherwise all are in good order but not suitable for re-use. All has been polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost. 23.25" tall x 7.25" diam. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £350.00


	Brass Firemans Helmet FF100 Original, quality, late 19th century superb, all brass fireman's helmet. Part of the original leather skullcap and leather to the chin strap, have both been made to suit copied from an original. The small brass buckle is also a replacement, but all the other brass fittings, including the chinstrap chain, are originals. This model was introduced in 1866, with the formation of the "Metropolitan Fire Brigade", which replaced the "London Fire Engine Establishment" maintained by insurance companies. This style remained in general use throughout the UK until the 1920's and those with the crossed axes badge were used by provincial, volunteers and Industrial Fire Brigades. All is in super condition and complete with no metal fatigue. Has been polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost. These helmets are not easy to find today in such good condition. The stand is for display only. 11" tall x 8.5" widest. 12.25" front to back. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £950.00


	Shand & Mason Brass Fire Appliance FF99 Original, quality late 19th century heavy cast brass water pump with the original short leather hose pipe and the original ebony 'T' bar handle to the top. The original copper makers plate mounted to the main barrel is detailed "Shand Mason & Co, Fire Engine Makers, Upper Ground Street, Blackfriars Road London". This was used to stand in any water available, streams or ponds, to draw off water to the pump onto a burning fire. This one will probably work today I haven't tried it but it is complete. All has been polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and is the first we have seen of this model. Leather hose plus spout 22". Total length 27.5" closed. 35" extended. Main barrel 2" diam. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £450.00


	Meywell & Son Brass Fire Hose Branch FF97 Original, quality 1943 cast brass fire hose spout with the original quick-release hose attachment. The spout is stamped "GR VI" with a crown for the Reign of "King Goerge VI", "1 inch" and for the manufacturer "Meywell & Sons Wolverhampton 1943". All has been polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and is in good order. 15" tall x 7" x 3.25". Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £156.00


	Merryweather Copper Fire Hose Branch FF96 Original, quality late 19th century 28.5" long tapered copper, fire fighting branch with cast brass mounts and a screw off end spout. Some minor dents to the copper tube, otherwise all is complete and in good order. All has been polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost. The cast brass base collar is stamped for the maker "Merryweather British Made & London". 29" long. 3.25" diam widest. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £156.00


	Nu Swift Copper Fire Extinguisher FF95 Original, quality copper hand held fire extinguisher manufacturer 1945. This example has a all copper cylinder body with much of the original red paintwork, cast brass copper and fittings to the top and an "Instructions For Use" brass panel to the front. This item was manufactured by "Nu Swift Fire Protection" in 1945 and is in good order but not now suitable for use. 14.5" tall x cylinder 3" diam at base. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £135.00


	Shand & Mason Fire Hose Branch FF94 Original, quality late 19th century tapered copper fire fighting branch with cast brass mounts and a screw off end spout. The spout is stamped for the manufacturer "Shand Mason & Co" and the base "G & Co Ltd". Various dents to the copper, otherwise complete and in good order. Polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost. 26" long x 3" widest. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £135.00


	Copper Fire Horn Hose FF93 Original, quality circa 1900, tapered copper fire hose "branch" with cast brass mounts and a screw off end spout. Various dents to the copper, otherwise complete and in good order. All has been polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost. 22" long x 3.25" widest. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £115.00


	Brass Fire Hose Spreader FF92 Original, quality 1920's heavy cast brass fire hose spreader spout with a top adjuster and marked for the maker "Roberts McClean & Co Ltd London" and "Pouderoux". Polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and complete and in good order. 4" tall. 2.5" top diam. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £68.00


	Brass Fire Hose Spreader FF91 Original, quality 1920's heavy cast brass fire hose spreader spout with a top adjuster and marked to the lower section "Pouderoux" for the maker. Polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and complete and in good and working order. 4.5" tall x 2.5" diam. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £68.00


	Pair of Nickel Firemans Epaulettes FF88 Original, quality pair of 1920's nickel fireman's epaulettes on the original leather backing and with the original badges with the helmet and crossed axes emblem. All has been polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and are complete and in good order. 9" x 5.5" x 2". Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £135.00


	Similar Brass Fire Hose Spouts FF85 Original, quality 1920's brass fire fighting hose spouts each with a threaded interior to the larger end. One is stamped "7" and another "3" and all have been polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost. In good order. 4" tall. Base 2 3/8" diam. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £23.00


	Brass Fire Hose Nozzle FF81 Original, quality 1940's cast brass fire hose 'branch' with a screw off end spout. This example stamped "1942" and "5/8" has been polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and is complete and in good order. Tall 11.75". 3¼" widest. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £75.00


	Firemans Axe FF80 Original, quality post-war standard issue Firemans' Axe with a wrought iron head on the original ash / oak handle. Complete and in good order. 15.5" x 8" x 1.25". Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £85.00


	Brass Manufacturers Plate for Bucket Fire Extinguisher FF79 Original, quality late 19th century cast brass, shaped manufacturer's plate from a "Messer & Thorpe's" patent bucket fire extinguisher from "Dockhead, London S.E". This is embossed "In case of fire, remove cover and lift out 10 buckets full of water". Polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost. Complete and in good order. 9.5" x 7" x 0.25". Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £250.00


	Fire Alarm Panel, 5 available FF78 Original, quality 1950's fire alarm panel, now for decoration only. The embossed cast iron circular frame is mounted on a square brass backplate and has the fire alarm button behind a panel of glass to the centre. The cast iron detail is picked out in red on a white background. Looks good but not suitable for use. Backplate 6" x 6". Central glass 2.25" diam. The works to the rear 1.25" deep. Price is for each. Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £56.00


	Brass Fire Nozzle FF69 Original, quality 1930's cast brass fire hose nozzle (branch) with a screw off end spout. This example, stamped "1939" and "5/8", has general scuffs but is not dented. All has been polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and is complete and in good order. 11.5" tall. 3.5" widest. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £75.00


	Chromed Fire Nozzle FF65 Original, quality 1930's / 40's chrome on brass fire hose nozzle (branch). This example has minor general scuffs and rubs but no dents otherwise complete and in good order. 11.75" x 3.25" widest. Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £56.00


	Haywards Glass Fire Grenade FG24 Original, quality 1920' moulded amber coloured glass fire grenade, embossed to the front "Haywards hand fire grenade". These grenades were original filled with a solution of sodium bicarbonate and the whole grenade was thrown into a small domestic fire to extinguish the flames. This clean albeit empty bottle has no chips or cracks and is complete and in good order otherwise. 6.5" tall. 5" diameter. Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £145.00


	Pair of Blue Glass Fire Grenades and Basket FG19 Pair of original, quality, late 19th century, blue glass fire grenades with the original wire rack to take three grenades. Both bottles are perfect, one is empty and the other is still sealed with most of the original contents and some of the original paper label. These grenades were usually filled with a solution of sodium bicarbonate. The whole grenade was thrown onto a small domestic fire to extinguish the flames. The wire rack was designed to sit on a shelf or hang on a nail on the wall. Not common examples, complete and in good order. Each bottle 7" x 3.25". total 2 bottles in rack 12" x 9.5" x 4.5". Price is for the pair and basket. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £365.00


	Leeds & Holbeck Building Society Copper Pin Tray FM32 Original, quality 1920's circular copper pin tray or wine coaster embossed to the centre with the coat of arms for "Leeds & Holbeck Building Society". This example is detailed to the underside "Made in England by Henry Jenkins & Sons Ltd Birmingham". Polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and complete and in good order. 4.25" exterior diam. 0.75" tall. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £115.00


	Birmingham Fire Office Co Fire Mark FM31 Original, quality small pressed copper fire mark embossed "Estd 1805 & Birmingham Issued" by the "Birmingham Fire Office Co Ltd", the main detail is good, although very thin in places but the outer edges are showing some loss of metal. 6.25" tall x 7.25" wide. Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £89.00


	Birmingham Fire Office Fire Mark FM30 Original, quality 19th century embossed and dished pressed copper fire mark produced for the "Birmingham Fire Office" from 1805 to 1867. This example appears to have retained its original paint and depicts a fireman of the day with an axe standing in front of a manual fire engine with large spoked wheels. This fire mark is in super condition and is complete and in good order. 10" tall x 11.25". Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £265.00


	Guardian Assurance Company Ltd Fire Mark FM29 Original, quality late 19th century pressed tin fire mark produced for the Guardian Fire & Life Assurance Comp from '1821'. The company changed its name to Guardian Assurance Co Ltd in 1902. This example appears to have retained its original paintwork and has probably never been used. The embossed subject to the front is of Athene standing amongst clouds holding a spear in her right hand and an olive branch in her left with a shield at her left side bearing the head of Medusa. Complete and in good order. 9.25" x 8.25". Click on photo for larger and other view Price: £78.00


	Britannia Fire Assoccation Fire Mark FM28 Original, quality late 19th century pressed copper fire mark produced from 1868. This company was renamed "Britannia Home &Coloured Insurance Comp." in 1879. This fire mark has a good clean copper colour overall with no signs of any original paint so it obviously has been stripped and washed clean. The main detail is in good order, although the copper is very thin in places, the outer edges are showing some loss of metal. 12" x 10". Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £135.00


	Royal Insurance Company Fire Mark FM27 Original, quality late 19th century pressed copper firemark produced from 1845 for the "Royal Insurance Company" and details "Royal" on a scroll with the crown above and a Liver Bird below. The main detail is good , although the copper is very thin in places and the outer edges are showing some loss metal. Much old paintwork still remaining. 11.25" x 10.25". Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £156.00


	Royal Insurance Company Fire Mark FM26 Original, quality late 19th century pressed copper firemark produced from 1845 for the "Royal Insurance Company" and "Royal" on a scroll with the crown above and a Liver Bird below. The main detail is in good order, although the copper is very thin in places and the outer edges are showing some loss of metal. Much old paintwork remaining. 11.75" x 10". Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £135.00


	Farmers Fire Mark FM25 Original, quality late 19th century fire mark produced from 1840 to 1888 in pressed zinc for the "Farmers & General Fire & Life Insurance" and detail a shelf of corn to the centre. The main detail is good, although very thin in places and the outer edges are showing some loss of metal. 10.25" x 8" x 1.25" front to back. Click on photo for larger and other view Price: £115.00


	Brass Sun Fire Office Pin Tray FM24 Original, quality circa 1900 / 1920's pressed brass circular promotional pin tray embossed with the sun logo of a face on the centre of a star and "Sun Fire Office 1710". Polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and complete and in good order. The first we have seen. 3.75" diam 0.25" tall. Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £78.00


	Royal Exchange Insurance Pin Tray, 2 available FM23 Original, quality 1920's circular nickel pin tray or wine coaster embossed to the centre with the coat of arms for "Royal Exchange Insurance". This heavy small tray is impressed "Made in England by Henry Jenkins & Sons Ltd Birmingham". Polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and complete and in good order. 4.25" x 0.75". Price is for each. Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £89.00


	Royal Exchange Insurance Pin Tray, 4 available FM22 Original, quality 1920's circular copper pin tray or wine coaster embossed to the centre with the coat of arms for "Royal Exchange Assurance". This heavy small tray is impressed "Made in England by Henry Jenkins & Sons Ltd Birmingham". Polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and complete and in good order. 4.25" x 0.75". Price is for each. Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £89.00


	County Insurance Firemark FM15 Original, quality, late 19th century, pressed copper firemark issued by the "County Fire Office". This used example is rather tatty around the edges, but it has retained its original paintwork with "Brittania" in gold on a red background. The county fire office was in operation from 1807 to 1906. 8.5" x 6.5". Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £156.00


	County Insurance Firemark FM14 Original, quality, late 19th century, pressed copper firemark issued by the "County Fire Office". This used example is in surprisingly good condition with only four scruffy holes for mounting at the corners, but it is covered in old green paint. The county fire office was in operation from 1807 to 1906. 8.5" x 6.5". Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £156.00


	Bristol Nested Fire Bucket Brass Plaque NP412 Original, quality 1930's / 40's oval cast brass makers plate detailing "The Bristol Nested Fire Bucket And A.R.P. Pumptank" and "Pat Applied For Essl Works Ashton Gate Bristol 3 Eng" and "Engineering Store & Services Ltd Fire Protection Engineers". This plate has two bolt holes for mounting, has been polished and lacquered and is complete and in good order. Another identical plaque but in cast aluminium may well be available ref code: NP411. 8.75" x 4.5" x 0.25". Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £165.00


	Bristol Nested Fire Bucket Aluminium Plaque NP411 Original, quality 1930's / 40's oval cast aluminium makers plate detailing "The Bristol Nested Fire Bucket And A.R.P. Pumptank" and "Pat Applied For Essl Works Ashton Gate Bristol 3 Eng" and "Engineering Store & Services Ltd Fire Protection Engineers". This plate has two bolt holes for mounting, has been polished and lacquered and is complete and in good order. Another identical plaque but in cast brass may well be available ref code: NP412. 8.75" x 4.5" x 0.25". Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £68.00


	General Accident Assurance Co. Nameplate NP388 Original, quality 1920's rectangular shaped pink brass nameplate in the original unpolished finish with white enamelled infill to the text "Agency - General Accident Fire & Life Assurance Corporation Ltd". This example has four screw holes for mounting and also engraved to the lower edge for the manufacturer "Caxton Nameplate Mtg Co Westminster S.W.I". All has been washed and waxed and apart from minor chips to the "G&E" all is complete and in good order. Can be polished to a shiney pink brass if required for no further cost. 12" x 8" x 0.2". Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £115.00


	Pair of Chromed Chubb Plaques NP270 Pair of original, quality 1920's / 30's chrome on brass plaques originally on a "Chubb Fire Cabinet". One is detailed as such and has the Royal appointment Coat of Arms, and the other is detailed "A Cabinet of this design has been tested and certified by the National Fire Brigade Association as providing "Full Protection Class A". Each plaque has two screw holes for mounting and are complete and in good order. One 3.75" x 2.75" tall. Two 3.25" x 2.75" tall. Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £85.00


	National Parcels Insurance Co Plaque NP161 Original, quality, circa 1900, large curved brass nameplate, with deep engraved upper cased text detailing "National Parcels Insurance Company Ltd". This superb sign has four countersunk screw hole for mounting and has been polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost. There are also four other screw holes where an old plate has been fixed over and two small wear holes, otherwise all is complete and in good order. 17.5" wide at rear x 12" tall. 21" wide on the curve. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £156.00


	The City Police or Fire Whistle with Lanyard W60 Original, quality nickel plated whistle with the original green silk covered Lanyard. This early whistle, circa 1900 / 1910, is detailed "The City Police or Fire Whistle" and "Patent" and is polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost. Complete and in good and working order. The first we have seen. 3.25" x 5/8". Lanyard 30". Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £156.00

Online Catalogue > Fire Fighting & Insurance