Thank you for your question! Below is some information that may help you learn more about your object.
A Description
First, here's a brief excerpt from an article called "Handy Fire Grenades," which appears in the June 1973 issue of Spinning Wheel antiques magazine:
The automatic fire extinguisher was a type popular around the turn of the century. The Shur-Stop automatic grenade ... is a hand-blown glass bulb enclosed in a wire rack to be hung on the wall. These were painted in various colors.... The idea was that the low-melting solder which held one of the wires in place about the bulb would melt at 130 degrees. The wire would then swing out and the bulb of chemical extinguisher would drop on the fire.
Online Resources
- To read about the potential safety hazards and safe handling/disposal of some antique "fire grenades" (those containing carbon tetrachloride) see the following:
- "Common Fire Safety Device in Old Homes a Health Hazard," by William Kibbel III, a home inspector and contributing editor to Old House Web
- "Glass Grenade Style Fire Extinguisher “Bombs:” Are They Safe?", a 2016 post on the Museums Association of Saskatchewan blog.
Books for Collectors
- Deluca, Chuck. Firehouse Memorabilia: A Collector’s Reference; an illustrated reference aid for collectors. York, ME: Maritime Antique Auctions, 1989.
- Gurka, Andrew G. “Hot Stuff!”: Firefighting Collectibles: An Illustrated Reference and Buyers Guide. Gas City, Ind.: L-W Book Sales, n.d.
- Odell, John. Digger Odell’s Fire Grenade & Target Ball Price Guide. [Mason, Ohio]: Digger Odell Publications, 2011.
- Piatti, James. Firehouse Memorabilia: Identification and Price Guide. New York: Avon Books, 1994.
Selected Articles
- Auburn, Stephen. “Handy Fire Grenades.” Spinning Wheel 29, no. 5 (June 1973): 56.
- Byron, Martin F. “Destined for Destruction.” The Federation of Historical Bottle Clubs Journal 3, no.
2 (Fall 1975): 19-29. - “Fire Bomb Fire.” BBR, no. 107 (Jan./Mar. 2006): 14-19.
- Holmes, Dilyn. “Fire Extinguisher Bottles: Practical & Deadly.” Collectors News & The Antique
Reporter 35, no. 1 (May 1994): 10. - Slowiak, John. “The Glass Fire Extinguisher, Hand Grenade.” Antique Bottle World 9, no. 8 (Aug.
1982): 8-11.
Borrowing Library Materials
If you wish to borrow copies of library items, please contact your local library. The Rakow Research Library will lend designated books from its collection and will send copies of articles requested by other libraries. Your library can request items through the OCLC WorldShare Interlibrary Loan (ILL) system or by direct request through email at ill@cmog.org. For more information, please see our ILL policies and procedures.
