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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
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.

 
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Price: £450.00


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.

 
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Price: £135.00


Shand & Mason Fire Hose Branch FF94



Copper Fire Horn Hose FF93
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.

 
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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.

 
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Price: £68.00


Brass Fire Hose Spreader FF92



Brass Fire Hose Spreader FF91
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.

 
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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".

 
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Price: £135.00


Pair of Nickel Firemans Epaulettes FF88



Similar Brass Fire Hose Spouts, 3 similar available FF85
Similar Brass Fire Hose Spouts, 3 similar available 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.

Price is for each.

 
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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.

 
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Price: £75.00


Brass Fire Hose Nozzle FF81



Firemans Axe FF80
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".

 
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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".

 
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Price: £250.00


Brass Manufacturers Plate for Bucket Fire Extinguisher FF79



Fire Alarm Panel, 6 available FF78
Fire Alarm Panel, 6 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.

 
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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.

 
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Price: £75.00


Brass Fire Nozzle FF69



Chromed Fire Nozzle FF65
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.

 
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Price: £56.00


Hardens Star Glass Fire Grenade FG26
Original, quality late 19th century blue moulded glass fire grenade, with the top seal intact and the original contents. These grenades were originally filled with a solution of sodium bicarbonate and the whole grenade was thrown into a small domestic fire to extinguish the flames. This example is embossed with the star logo to the front and "Star" and "Hardens Fire Grenade, Fire Extinguisher" and to the underside with the registration number for the year 1884. A good clean example of this bright blue grenade, complete and in good order.

6.75" tall x 4.5" diameter.

 
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Price: £165.00


Hardens Star Glass Fire Grenade FG26



Haywards Glass Fire Grenade FG24
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.

 
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Price: £145.00


Hardens Star Glass Fire Grenade FG21
Original, quality, late 19th century, blue moulded glass fire grenade, with the top seal intact and the original contents. These grenades were originally filled with a solution of sodium bicarbonate and the whole grenade was thrown into a small domestic fire to extinguish the flames. This example is embossed with the star logo to the front and "Star" and "Hardens Fire Grenade, Fire Extinguisher" and to the underside with the registration number for the year 1884 and has a uneven moulded underside and will only free stand at an angle. A good clean example of this bright blue grenade with one sizeable chip to the top rim otherwise complete and in good order.

6.75" tall x 4.6" diameter.

 
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Price: £165.00


Hardens Star Glass Fire Grenade FG21



Pair of Blue Glass Fire Grenades and Basket FG19
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.

 
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Price: £400.00


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.

 
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Price: £89.00


Birmingham Fire Office Co Fire Mark FM31



Birmingham Fire Office Fire Mark FM30
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".

 
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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".

 
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Price: £78.00


Guardian Assurance Company Ltd Fire Mark FM29



Britannia Fire Assoccation Fire Mark FM28
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".

 
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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".

 
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Price: £156.00


Royal Insurance Company Fire Mark FM27



Royal Insurance Company Fire Mark FM26
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".

 
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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.

 
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Price: £115.00


Farmers Fire Mark FM25



Brass Sun Fire Office Pin Tray FM24
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.

 
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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.

 
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Price: £115.00


Royal Exchange Insurance Pin Tray, 2 available FM23



Royal Exchange Insurance Pin Tray, 4 available FM22
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.

 
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Price: £115.00


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. Other examples of the same model may well be available, reference codes FM14 and FM17.

8.5" x 6.5".

 
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Price: £156.00


County Insurance Firemark FM15



County Insurance Firemark FM14
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. Other examples of the same model may well be available, reference codes FM15 and FM17.

8.5" x 6.5".

 
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Price: £156.00


Insurance Firemark FM3
Original, quality 1920's, unused pressed tin firemark issued by the 'Legal Insurance Co Ltd'. Transfer printed colour with hand overpainted detail in the form of a heraldic shield, in mint un-issued condition.

9.25" x 7".

 
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Price: £68.00


Insurance Firemark FM3



Bristol Nested Fire Bucket Brass Plaque NP412
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".

 
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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".

 
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Price: £68.00


Bristol Nested Fire Bucket Aluminium Plaque NP411



General Accident Assurance Co. Nameplate NP388
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".

 
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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.

 
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Price: £85.00


Pair of Chromed Chubb Plaques NP270



National Parcels Insurance Co Plaque NP161
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.

 
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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".

 
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Price: £156.00


The City Police or Fire Whistle with Lanyard W60

Online Catalogue > Fire Fighting & Insurance