Posted 5 years ago
afterthought
(4 items)
A light bulb shaped glass filled with water or some other clear liquid. It is filled to about 4/5ths full. I know if you hold a lighter at the bottom for 15 seconds it will start to bubble or boil. The glass is about as thick as a water glass. No marking of any kind on it.
5 inches high x 3 1/2 inches wide.
looks like maybe a fire extinguisher grenade
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-red-comet-safety-spray-fire-2029113374
TallCakes, Wow. Just wow. :-)
TallCakes could be correct, it is the right basic size for one of those fire grenades but those things were always clearly labeled as such, because if so that *AIN'T* just water in there...? <eeek>
Oh WOW indeed -- TallCakes *did* nail it on this one?!!
Do be careful, the CarbonTetrachloride (sp?) liquid inside that bulb is reportedly pretty nasty stuff... <nono>
afterthought, Yes indeed, do be careful:
*snip*
Carbon tetrachloride was suitable for liquid and electrical fires and the extinguisers were fitted to motor vehicles. Carbon-tetrachloride extinguishers were withdrawn in the 1950s because of the chemical's toxicity–exposure to high concentrations damages the nervous system and internal organs. Additionally, when used on a fire, the heat can convert CTC to Phosgene gas [7], formerly used as a chemical weapon.
*snip*
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/3203-antique-fire-extinguisher
https://museumcrush.org/the-beauty-and-danger-in-victorian-glass-fire-grenades/
Perhaps you should contact your local fire department for advice.
Thanks you TallCakes. I would never thought of that. Taking it down to city fire dept. for their museum.
*snip*
When I find a fire suppression grenade in an old home and it doesn't clearly state that it contains salt water, I'll assume it contains carbon tetrachloride. I advise folks to have it disposed of professionally. Your local municipal environmental officer or fire marshal will probably have specific instructions on how it should be handled and where it can be disposed.
*snip*
https://www.oldhouseweb.com/how-to-advice/common-fire-safety-device-in-old-homes-a-health-hazard.shtml