Falkirk Museums and Archives FMA
This example is not in my possession but picture reproduced by kind permission of FMA.
It is believed to be a Stein product. C. 1991
Voussoir fireclay brick for use in an arch. – Voussoir
Marked in ink Rhin 0 4/91
GR-Stein Refractories Ltd – Formed by merger in 1970 of John G Stein & Co and General Refractories of Sheffield. GR-Stein became a subsidiary of Hepworth Ceramic Holdings Ltd General Refractories was formed in 1929. It acquired the Glenboig Union Fireclay Co in 1936, (along with other companies), which became its Scottish holding company, and Dykewood Gannister & Fireclay Co of Bonnybridge , George Turnbull & Co of Bonnybridge and Castlecary Brick & Fireclay Co, all in 1936. GR Stein’s Manuel Brickworks in Whitecross opened in 1928 and closed on 28 December 2001 when manufacture moved to England and Poland.
Mark Buchannan who is a former employee at the Stein Manuel Works states he does not believe the word Rhino has anything to do with any Stein related product and has been written on the brick for no known reason. Any brick markings would have been stenciled on.
He adds that the brick could be a SILL 66 or SILL 63D – the blue chalk ring on the top face would be highlighted to show the kiln dropping(what it looks like to me). The dot on the end face would be a sizing mark possibly green. The colour coding was so when the bricks ran through the size banding machine all the relevant bricks in that band were colour coded accordingly, the chequer bricks were also done this way . This brick could have been cut in half looking for any lamination inside the brick.
Kiln dropping is when the roof of the kiln starts to degrade due to continuous high temperature firing which causes part of the roof to melt and then drop on to the bricks being fired.
Could Rhino have been an employees nickname?
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…
