Falkirk Museums and Archives FMA.
This example is not in my possession but picture reproduced by kind permission of FMA.
Maksiccar refractory cement container. Post 1900 … 1930’s.
Primary maker A C Brown for John G Stein & Co, Bonnybridge.
John Gilchrist Stein – Born in 1862 when father was the manager of Clackmannan Brick & Tile Works. The family moved to Winchburgh Brickworks where John became an apprentice. Then worked at Cumbernauld Pipe Works, Glenboig Union Fireclay Co and Bonnybridge Silica & Fireclay Co Ltd. Established own company at Milnquarter in 1887, partnership in 1891 then sole partner in 1896. He married Ann Clelland Bulloch Henderson in Cumbernauld on 23 Nov 1883 and they had ten children. In 1927 he grazed his shin on a brick and died of blood poisoning.
The name came from the incident on 10/02/1306 when Robert the Bruce met the Red Comyn in the church of the Minorite Friars at Dumfries. Both were claimants to the Scottish throne and both had violent tempers. A dispute arose and Bruce stabbed his rival, then left the church with the horror of sacrilegious murder on his conscience. ‘I doubt I have slain the Red Comyn’ he told friends. ‘Doubt?’ said Sir Roger Kirkpatrick, ‘I’ll mak siccar’ and he entered the church and made sure the rival was dead. This story reminded customers to make sure of their brickwork by using the right cement.
Found by Ian Suddaby near Ravenscraig, Motherwell. This example is not in my possession. Ian states – It’s a shame the markings on many of these relatively modern basic bricks are so faint. At least I can just read this one. Why is the C a bit smaller? SPINELLA MC So this was made by General Refractories…
Found by Ian Suddaby near Ravenscraig, Motherwell. 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 in Perth. 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 in Perth. Perhaps the stamp is meant to read ‘Perth’ ? 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 Manuel Works, Whitecross. This example is not in my possession. The example below is a hanger 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.
Found by Ian Suddaby at the Manuel Works, Whitecross. This example is not in my possession. ST – Possibly stands for ‘Stein’. Note the reversed ‘S’. The example below is a hanger brick and although the manufacturer is not stamped, the find location is highly suggestive that this is a Stein product. Stein, Castlecary Fireclay…
Found by Ian Suddaby at the Manuel Works, Whitecross. This example is not in my possession. Stein made such bricks under licence. M. H. Detrick – The M.H. Detrick Company is a heat refractory manufacturing company, based out of Mokena, Illinois. The company primarily sells suspended refractory constructions and industrial heat enclosures to various businesses. Founded…
The following Scottish bricks were found by Tracie Perrie on the shore at Borden, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Below – ‘Glenboig’. Glenboig Union Fireclay Company, Glenboig, Lanarkshire. Alternative brickworks include: Glenboig Star Fireclay Works, Glenboig, Lanarkshire. Glenboig Fireclay Works, (Old Works) Glenboig, Lanarkshire Below – ‘Gartcraig Scotland Gaskil’. 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…
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…
