Shire

This brick was found in St Petersburg, Russia by Vladimir Smirnov.

The manufacturer is unknown.

The ‘look’ and fabric of the brick does suggest Scottish origins but …

In particular, the brick has a ‘look’ of a P & M Hurll, Glenboig product.

Ian Suddaby has suggested one possibility – The Lanarkshire Steelworks, Motherwell, Scotland was known locally as the ‘Shire’. They would use large numbers of fire bricks such as this example. Perhaps it was manufactured by Hurll and stamped ‘Shire’ to denote the customer ( as many fire bricks were). For some reason, it thereafter found itself on a ship destined for Russia instead of going to the local ‘Shire’ Steelworks – It is a long shot but an enthralling idea.

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