Found Drum Farm, Bonnybridge.
Unidentified maker.
The find location would suggest Scottish origins but …
There is little doubt this will be a product of either James Dougall, Bonnyside Brickworks, Bonnybridge or the Bonnybridge Silica and Fire Clay Company. Ian Suddaby found the exact same stamp on a site where demolition and products from the BSFC Co appeared to have been dumped so it is more likely this is a BSFC Co product. Other variations of the stamp could also have been made by Dougall as they were certainly manufacturing fire bricks for railway companies around the world.
The initials may stand for some sort of Railway system in South America or India as per this link to bricks manufactured in Scotland for South American Railways – click me or similarly for Indian Railways – click me
To be specific CUR may well stand for the Central Uruguay Railway of Montevideo Ltd which was registered in London in 1876. It was the largest railway company in Uruguay. It operated from 1 January 1878 to January 31, 1949, when railroads were nationalized. It worked, leased and absorbed some smaller rail systems. By the end of the era of British railways in Uruguay, CUR had a network of 1,665 kilometres (1,035 mi) standard gauge, about half of the total within the country. It owned about 170 steam locomotives and several thousand cars. In 1891, CUR’s British and Uruguayan employees founded the Central Uruguay Railway Cricket Club.
Below – The same stamp on a brick found by Ian Suddaby on a site where countless BSFC Co products had been dumped.
Many thanks to Bruce MacDonald for the following photographs which were taken at The Sunbury Plantation House, St Philip Parish Barbados. All the bricks present were fire bricks and included English manufacturers such as Ruffors of Stourbridge, Cowen of Newcastle and Duddell of Fenton. 90% of the bricks present appear to have been stamped ‘Glenboig’….
Graces Guide Information – Mini-conglomerate, of Glasgow; interests in packaging, wine, animal feedstuffs and engineering. 1960 Norcros launched a second associated public company, Scotcros, to handle Scottish businesses. 1961 Acquired Wilkie and Paul, makers of metal tins. 1962 Acquired Thomas Bishop, maker of commercial catering equipment and other engineering products. 1971 Acquired Unit Body Developments from RTZ Pillar and BPB Industries….
Many thanks to Gustavo Coronel for the following information. This ‘Crater’ brick was found in lime kiln furnace No 5, Malagueño, Córdoba, Argentina. Gustavo states that bricks stamped ‘Etna’ were also found lining the furnace but no photograph is available as yet. Manufactured by the Etna or Atlas Brickworks, Armadale, West Lothian. . . ….
Many thanks to Chris Lowe for the following information. Chris states the bricks were found in an old fireplace on his family’s property in Oregon, USA. There may be a thumbprint to the top right. Bonnybridge Silica & Fireclay Co Ltd, Bonnybridge. alt Calder Firebrick Works, Airdrie, Lanarkshire. alt Chapelhall Works, Lanarkshire. Hepworth Ceramic Holdings…
The following ‘Stirling’ brick was found by Tracie Perrie on the shore at Borden, Prince Edward Island, Canada. The manufacturer of this firebrick is unknown but it was found amongst Glenboig and Gartcraig bricks (and possibly Thistle bricks) – see this link. It is very likely this brick has Scottish origins albeit the brickworks it…
Thanks to Mark Norstad for the following information. . Mark states – The ‘Heathery Knowe’ was found underneath an old house in Marin County, CA (near San Francisco). The age of the house is unknown. Below – Heathery Knowe Patent Glasgow – Heatheryknowe Fire Clay Works, Glasgow. (Note – SBH – Heathery Knowe appears to be…
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 Jim in the Sheffield area. This example is not in my possession. Bonnybridge Silica & Fireclay Co Ltd, Bonnybridge. alt Calder Firebrick Works, Airdrie, Lanarkshire. alt Chapelhall Works, Lanarkshire. Hepworth Ceramic Holdings plc (GR-Stein Refractories Ltd. parent co) bought the Bonnybridge Silica & Fireclay Co. Ltd in 1972, closed Bonnybridge works in 1973…
Found by Craig Powell in Western Australia. Bonnybridge Silica & Fireclay Co Ltd, Bonnybridge. alt Calder Firebrick Works, Airdrie, Lanarkshire. alt Chapelhall Works, Lanarkshire. Hepworth Ceramic Holdings plc (GR-Stein Refractories Ltd. parent co) bought the Bonnybridge Silica & Fireclay Co. Ltd in 1972, closed Bonnybridge works in 1973 and closed Chapelhall in 1980. Therefore between…
