Found Firth of Clyde, Glasgow.
Unidentified maker.
The find location would suggest Scottish origins but …
I believe it says IFB but there is a possibility it says JFB.
Possibly the Inverkeithing Fireclay Brickworks, Scotland – click me
However, from the information below, could my IFB stamped brick be an American or an Australian import? The brick marks are all frustratingly very similar!
Below – Found by Leslie White in Australia. Bricks stamped ‘IFB’ in Australia originate from the Illawarra Fire Brickworks, Australia.
Below – A similar example found by Barbara Reinhardt at Lithgow, Australia.
Below – An extract from ‘And so we graft from six to six’ by Warwick Gemmell.
Allan Hackett, Australia points out that the IFB bricks manufactured in Australia, and found so far, do not have the shallow margin or frog as per my example.
Jean Bear, USA states “Here, the IFB was made by Corundite Refractories Company in Zoar, Ohio from 1930 until 1965. Perhaps they were made in other places? Oral history tells us that “IFB” stood for “International Fire Brick” but I don’t have proof”
Below – A brick stamped IFB. Photo from an American auction site. The brick is titled – Corundite Refractories Company in Zoar, Ohio.
Below – Another IFB stamped brick, this time found in Western New York State, USA by Robert Cortright. Note the circular feature in which the stamp is located.
Many thanks to Charlie Terry for the following photographs and information. Charlie states – My great-grandfather worked at the Beaconsfield and Lefroy gold mines in Tasmania. He was an assayer. Some of the bricks are still in their original boxes and have been stored in a shed for decades. Below – An example of one…
This brick is in the possession of John Hicks, West Monroe, Louisiana, USA. John is uncertain where the Docken brick was found in the USA as he picked it up at a brick swap meeting. James Dougall & Sons Ltd, Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire. Alternative brickworks include: Bonnyside Brickworks, Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire. .
Found by Joe Fletcher at “Turonville” in Tarana, NSW Australia. The property is a farm dating back to the 1850s. Gartcraig Fire Clay Works, By Millerston, Glasgow. . . . .
Found by Jeffrey Valli on the railroad tracks in Truro, Massachusetts, USA. Gartcraig Fire Clay Works, By Millerston, Glasgow. . . . .
Found at Manuel Works, Whitecross by Ian Suddaby. This example is not in my possession The manufacturer of this checker is unknown although the find site would suggest it was made at the Manuel Works, Whitecross’ Scotland. Stein, Castlecary Fireclay Works, Castlecary, Stirlingshire. Stein, Manuel Firebrick and Refractory Works, Whitecross, Stirlingshire. Stein & Co, Anchor…
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…
Found by Len Baird in East Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA. Len states – I have found GartCraig brick pieces in East Lebanon, New Hampshire at the remains of a former slate mill from the mid-19th century. It is immediately adjacent to what used to be the Northern Railroad which came from Boston up through New…
Found by John Winter in an inner Brisbane Creek, Australia. Douglas Fireclay Works, Dalry, Ayrshire. . . . .
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…
03/11/1934 – Coatbridge Leader – Glenboig brick romance. Knocking about ocean bed for twenty years. A fireclay brick which was one of a consignment of 47,500, despatched twenty years ago by the Glenboig Union Fireclay Company made quite a romantic reappearance on Wednesday at the annual meeting of the Company held in Glasgow. Mr Robert…
