This brick was found in St Petersburg, Russia by Vladimir Smirnov.
The manufacturer is unknown.
The ‘look’ and fabric of the brick does suggest Scottish origins but …
In particular, the brick has a ‘look’ of a P & M Hurll, Glenboig product.
Ian Suddaby has suggested one possibility – The Lanarkshire Steelworks, Motherwell, Scotland was known locally as the ‘Shire’. They would use large numbers of fire bricks such as this example. Perhaps it was manufactured by Hurll and stamped ‘Shire’ to denote the customer ( as many fire bricks were). For some reason, it thereafter found itself on a ship destined for Russia instead of going to the local ‘Shire’ Steelworks – It is a long shot but an enthralling idea.
Many thanks to Vladimir Smirnov for highlighting this brick to me which was found in the vicinity of the St. Petersburg Region, Gatchina Region, Russia by a brick collector, Alexander Korolev. It was discovered the stove of a private house. Stein, Castlecary Fireclay Works, Castlecary, Stirlingshire. Stein, Manuel Firebrick and Refractory Works, Whitecross, Stirlingshire. Stein &…
Found in the Bo’ness area. I am not in possession of this example. Although this is broken there is little doubt it was stamped 60 – 69 and was a circle brick. Garnqueen Fireclay Works, Glenboig, Lanarkshire. Alternative brickworks include: Gartliston Fireclay Works, Glenboig, Lanarkshire. Building bricks at Garscadden Works, Drumchapel.
Found at the Manuel Brickworks, Whitecross. This is a broken special product. The top, left and right sides are intact and shaped as you see them but it is broken along the bottom edge. The manufacturer is unknown but the find site would suggest it was made at the Manuel Brickworks. GAH may well represent…
Found by Flipp Metlin in a basement floor in Saint Petersburg, on Vasilievskiy Island, Russia. Glenboig Union Fireclay Company, Glenboig, Lanarkshire. Alternative brickworks include: Glenboig Star Fireclay Works, Glenboig, Lanarkshire. Glenboig Fireclay Works, (Old Works) Glenboig, Lanarkshire It is likely there is a dash and a downward arrow stamped on the right of the brick…
Found by Eddie McLean in the Glasgow area. Garnqueen Fireclay Works, Glenboig, Lanarkshire Alternative brickworks include: Gartliston Fireclay Works, Glenboig, Lanarkshire. Building bricks at Garscadden Works, Drumchapel. (Note – SBC – the letter ‘U’ is slightly smaller than the rest. It is believed that this stamp may have been used by a specific moulder or…
Many thanks to Robert Clark for the following photographs and information regarding Scottish bricks found in the Ottawa area of Canada. Below – Govan – This is very likely to be Scottish and manufactured at a works in Govan, Glasgow. The exact works are unknown as there are several possibilities including Mallsmire Fire Brick Works,…
Found Manuel Works, Whitecross. Stein, Castlecary Fireclay Works, Castlecary, Stirlingshire. Stein, Manuel Firebrick and Refractory Works, Whitecross, Stirlingshire. Stein & Co, Anchor Brickworks, Denny, Stirlingshire. Milnquarter Fireclay & Gannister Works, Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire The ‘B & W’ is likely to stand for Babcock and Wilcox. Babcock and Wilcox history. 1881 – Nathaniel Pratt, who would be B&W’s…
Found Manuel Works, Whitecross. Probably a J G Stein product. Stein, Castlecary Fireclay Works, Castlecary, Stirlingshire. Stein, Manuel Firebrick and Refractory Works, Whitecross, Stirlingshire. Stein & Co, Anchor Brickworks, Denny, Stirlingshire. Milnquarter Fireclay & Gannister Works, Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire Alternatively, this looks like it may be a cement-based refractory castable and thus may have been manufactured…
Found by Ian Suddaby near Plean. This example is not in my possession. The manufacturer is unknown but RB is a recognised stamp for P & M Hurll although it is not known what it stands for. Garnqueen Fireclay Works, Glenboig, Lanarkshire Alternative brickworks include: Gartliston Fireclay Works, Glenboig, Lanarkshire. Building bricks at Garscadden Works,…
Many thanks to Karen Spruce for the photograph. This brick was found at an unknown location in Australia. Garnqueen Fireclay Works, Glenboig, Lanarkshire Alternative brickworks include: Gartliston Fireclay Works, Glenboig, Lanarkshire. Building bricks at Garscadden Works, Drumchapel.
