Who else has a copper fire extinguisher?

[bushmaster1313]

Who else has a copper fire extinguisher?
Mine is a “Success” by John’s Mannvile
They run on sodium bicarbonate solution and a small cup of sulfuric acid at the top. When turned over the acid mixes into the sodium bicarbonate generating gas pressure to force the water out the hose.

To me, these copper extinguishers display high levels of skill in:
Design
Metallurgy
Chemistry and
Manufacturing.
They also show off the art inherent in function driving form

 

[Beemerguy53]

There is a corner of my sunroom that I've turned into a place for mementos and memorabilia from my career. My copper extinguisher is right below my Cairns New Yorker leather helmet. Next to it is a brass carbon tet extinguisher...

 

[robvious]

I had a brass soda acid one.. gave it to a friend restoring an antique firetruck...

 

[Onomea]

Ya oughta spiff it up. Maybe some sorta electric buffer and a can of Brasso (or whatever works on copper...) Spray some lacquer (?) on after polishing to keep the shine...

 

[rubiranch]

I have one.

 

[bushmaster1313]

Ya oughta spiff it up. Maybe some sorta electric buffer and a can of Brasso (or whatever works on copper...) Spray some lacquer (?) on after polishing to keep the shine...

OP here.
I gave this one to my Mom over 40 years ago. She had it polished and lacquered but over the decades it tarnished through the lacquer. When my parents downsized their house I got it back and it’s a nice keepsake.

 

[bushmaster1313]

Ya oughta spiff it up. Maybe some sorta electric buffer and a can of Brasso (or whatever works on copper...) Spray some lacquer (?) on after polishing to keep the shine...

OP here.
I gave this one to my Mom over 40 years ago. She had it polished and lacquered but over the decades it tarnished through the lacquer. When my parents downsized their house I got it back and it’s a nice keepsake. My appreciation of fine design, craftsmanship and beauty in utilitarian articles comes from her.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I have a brass Kontrol, made by Stempel Fire Extinguisher Co. in St. Louis. It's the foam version, which debuted in the early 1900's, but I'm pretty sure mine is post war. I also have a glass Red Comet fire grenade and a newer chrome SECO, of the same design as the Kontrol. Very neat history . . .

 

[bigwheelzip]

There is a corner of my sunroom that I've turned into a place for mementos and memorabilia from my career. My copper extinguisher is right below my Cairns New Yorker leather helmet. Next to it is a brass carbon tet extinguisher...

Your mementos reminded me of when my friend retired from the FDNY and moved to AZ. He not only collected vintage fire apparatus, but had inherited FD collectibles from generations of his FD family.
His moving company charged by weight, and his extensive collection of vintage fire hydrants were incredibly heavy, costing him a small fortune to move.

 

[NYlakesider]

Beemer and other collectors do not read!!!

Your mementos reminded me of when my friend retired from the FDNY and moved to AZ. He not only collected vintage fire apparatus, but had inherited FD collectibles from generations of his FD family.
His moving company charged by weight, and his extensive collection of vintage fire hydrants were incredibly heavy, costing him a small fortune to move.

******Beemer and other collectors PLEASE do not read!******



Years back we had to clear out a old warehouse that was scheduled to be torn down and the place was loaded with those tip over type extinguishers. I was a apprentice then and my boss had me strip them out, throw into the back of a PU truck and go to the junkie. Quite a few dollars in scrap value there which was split up 3 ways.

 

[Steve912]

Next to it is a brass carbon tet extinguisher...

Hopefully empty and cleaned out. Carbon tetrachloride is
a super nasty toxin.

Carbon tetrachloride - Wikipedia

 

[remshooter]

my grade school had some of those ,..late 60's early 70's

 

[bushmaster1313]

my grade school had some of those ,..late 60's early 70's

My high school chemistry teacher had a squeeze bottle of carbon tetrachloride. He used it to clean grease pencil off laboratory glassware. Ah — The good old days.

 

[Inusuit]

Ya oughta spiff it up. Maybe some sorta electric buffer and a can of Brasso (or whatever works on copper...) Spray some lacquer (?) on after polishing to keep the shine...

I would leave it as is. The patina was acquired over many years and will be impossible to replicate. I think the same advice applies here as we would give to someone wanting to refinish a classic old Smith and Wesson. Then again, if shiny is your thing, it's your antique.

 

[joe44va]

My father had one of the old carbon tet pumper types hanging in his "shed". No idea what happened to it.

 

[Jon651]

My high school chemistry teacher had a squeeze bottle of carbon tetrachloride. He used it to clean grease pencil off laboratory glassware. Ah — The good old days.

My uncle was a printer in Philadelphia until he passed away. They used to use carbon tetrachloride to clean the ink off the printing plates. He died from cancer when I was still pretty young but we never knew for certain if the carbon-tet was the cause, but more than likely it was.

 

[GypsmJim]

My uncle was a printer in Philadelphia until he passed away. They used to use carbon tetrachloride to clean the ink off the printing plates. He died from cancer when I was still pretty young but we never knew for certain if the carbon-tet was the cause, but more than likely it was.

My Dad was a printer as well. Carbon Tet was the every day go to.

I worked with him Summers and used it as well. Of course I was just a kid and didn't know any better. It was my goto as well, just to wash my hands before going home.

Dad DID die of cancer (30 years later) but we attributed it more to his cigars. I swear he had retired for 10 years before the black ink marks in his pores finally went away.

The discussion on another thread centered around lead poisoning from shooting boolits. I'm sure it didn't affect me. But now that I think of it maybe it was the Carbon Tet that made me goofy...

 

[Igiveup]

I have one of those, but is minus the hose and nozzle. I polished it years ago but has turned to patina. I was going to make a lamp out of it but got side tracked.

 

[kennethg]

My wife bought this one about 4 decades ago.

 

[GreyOwl]

I have an old carbon tet extinguisher also. It is still probably half full and haven’t checked into what I should do to make it safe. Any ideas?