The following fire brick core samples were rescued by the late Joan Faithfull in 2001 when the Manuel Firebrick and Refractory Works, Whitecross closed down. They were generously donated to my collection by Joan’s husband, Monty Faithfull and her son, John Faithfull.
Such core samples would be sent to the Stein laboratories for tests and analysis. The ones below were simply kept for reference purposes.
Below – John Gilchrist Stein – Fire brick core samples.
Left to right
Spin KM Spin MCP Stein 60 Stein 60P 63D Alro 80
Hippo 65 Nettle DX 45D Alcor 95 ASD Fosterite Nettle 42
Sill 55 Sill 66 Sill 70 Sill 85 Sill G8 Alumag 5
Supermag A Stein 84P Stein 50 S/Mag GT Ugly 80 Stein 80P (Note – SBH -Does anyone know what HIPPO and UGLY stand for !)
This brick was found by Craig Powell at the Mount Jackson gold mine in Western Australia. Craig states – There were dozens of them made into a kitchen fireplace and many more loosely stacked around the old station homestead near the abandoned mine. The kitchen section was an add on to the original building which…
Found by Heather McHaffie in the West Lothian area. This example is not in my possession. Thistle DCI or Thistle DC 1 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.
Many thanks to Alun Hughers for sending this photo of Scottish bricks he saw in Hunte’s Garden, Barbados. Thistle brick – 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. Calder brick – Bonnybridge Silica &…
This was found by Tony Gray in the Wearside, Sunderland 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…
Found at the Manuel Works Whitecross. Stein Sillimanite – this has high alumina content. AL2O2 – S1O2. Melting point 1545 C. This is an aluminium silicate material. On heating to 1545 C it breaks down to mullite and a siliceous glass. Benjamin Silliman. Stein, Castlecary Fireclay Works, Castlecary, Stirlingshire. Stein, Manuel Firebrick and Refractory Works, Whitecross, Stirlingshire….
Found by Chris Graham in the Maryport area. This example is not in my possession. 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. “Blast Furnace Construction In America“ book, by J. E. Johnson, Jr.. – Firebrick…
Found by Chris Graham in the Maryport area. This example is not in my possession. 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.
Found by Ian Suddaby at the site of the Manuel Works, Whitecross. This example is not in my possession. Note the reversed ‘N’. 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. ND = Nettle Dense
Found at Grangemouth. 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. .
Found by Ian Suddaby on the site of the old Carron Ironworks, Falkirk. Ian states – This is a Double Taper and might be the only one I’ve found. So-called because both the bed and the stretcher faces taper slightly. The bed face from 4⅜” to 3⅜” and the stretcher from 4″ to 3″. Stein,…
