Anyone out there know what this????

[msinc]

Or what these plaques mean??? Since this forum is the best source of intelligent info on the web...We bought a house that has these two heavy cast iron painted plaques on the exterior wall. The letters UFFA comes up as "Uniformed Fire Fighters Association."
Strange that they would split them up on two different plaques...also strange that the original owner was a farmer and the second owner was a govt contractor. Neither had anything to do with any fire dept or fire fighting. Don't know who actually put these on the wall, but they didn't want them to ever fall.
Thanks in advance for any info...no big deal, but they must have some sort of meaning. Would be nice to know.

 

[moralem]

Those are plaques from a fire insurance company. United Fireman's Insurance, UF of Philadelphia, and the other one is not associated with the UF sign. the FA is a fireman association plaque again from Philadelphia, check them out on eBay.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Those are old fire insurance marks. They signify that the home they are displayed upon had current fire insurance, and the fire company to first put water on the fire was guaranteed to get paid. Fistfights between competing companies used to break out when companies tried to be the first to so, and the end result was often that the home burned to the ground during the fight. Originals are worth some money, but there are many copies.

 

[msinc]

13 and 14 minutes to get the answer!!!!! I said this forum is amazing!!!!! Thanks fellas...I think I will go and take these things down and put them away in a safe place...some of the originals are rather valuable.

 

[moralem]

If aluminum less likely valuable......but none the less very cool

 

[msinc]

Yep, was reading up on these things...aluminum ones are reproductions. These two I have are in fact cast iron and very heavy, like 5 or 6 pounds each...I guess they didn't want them to burn up in the fire too...interesting to say the least. Just when you think you have seen it all!!!

 

[Kinman]

Manufactured during the heyday of cast iron, there are so many artifacts from that era that were made using cast iron. It is amazing when you see some of the intricate designs made from sand castings into which the molten iron was poured. I know a guy that collects man hole covers...seriously...he has them from just about every major city in the U.S. I once asked him where you get the man hole covers for your collection, he told me he never questions how they were acquired. Reminds of the time I was driving down the road and saw this dark spot ahead of me only to find there was a missing manhole cover...that would really mess up your day to drop a tire into one of those.

 

[msinc]

I have always been drawn to unusual things...especially when there is a story behind them. A gentlemen once told me that manhole covers are round because if they were not they would be able to fall into the hole they cover...being round they cannot. I too have seen some very intricate manhole covers. I always thought all those ribs and reliefs were to make them lighter in weight but you wouldn't want them too light...kids are bad enough about stealing or throwing them off of overpasses as they are.
I happened on to some big brass port holes and still have them. I guess you could say they are also rather intricate castings. I guess you could also say that I will "collect" just about anything...

 

[geoff40]

There are plenty of cast iron reproductions of fire marks out there too.

 

[the ringo kid]

I was going to say that either it was a thingamajig or a whatchamacallit? Too latethough.

 

[msinc]

Here is a quick follow up on this thread...so, I take these things off the wall and bring them home to do some research. It turns out they are both reproductions...apparently in the 50's an outfit mentioned on one of the previous responses, Virginia Metalcrafters made some of the best reproductions out there. They did not make any of the originals. Well, sure enough, both of these have the "VM" casting mark on the back. So, while they are not the real deal, they are the best of all the repros made. Interesting enough, Virginia Metalcrafters went out of business some years back. They were located in Waynesboro, Va. which is on the way to my cabin in the mountains. I pass right thru there. The local govt. got some grant money to get the place opened back up and running. I have never heard of them, but they made all kinds of metal stuff. Most of which is quite collectable. I think these plaques need to be put on a nice piece of hickory and displayed at the cabin.....