Thread: What on Earth (if from earth)?

OK, you got me?

I found this bulbous devise hanging from a hook in a crawl space of a home constructed in 1958. There was nothing connected to it, although it had a tip on the bottom suggesting it once did. I took it off and observed liquid in the top bulb.

WTF?

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Okay, got me too.

Hopefully someone will have seen one before, or at least a picture of one, and know what it might be.

Almost looks like some kind of heat fusible link on the bottom?

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

Okay, got me too.

Hopefully someone will have seen one before, or at least a picture of one, and know what it might be.

Just a guess on my part, but I owned an old hotel / drinking establishment that dated from the turn of the century:

Mu guess is a type of fire extingusher, The ones I found were clear glass globes filled with a red liquid fire suppresent. When thrown at the flames, glass broke and out went the fire.

Mine had a metal wall holder and the globe was tear shaped.

Just a guess??

Somethings look wrong but kinda sorta looks like it may be an old (40-60s) rate of rise heat detector.

Good call Bryce. Its an old fire grenade extinguisher.

History:

"In the 1800s, glass fire grenades filled with suppressant liquids were popular. These glass fire grenade bottles are sought by collectors. Some later brands, such as Red Comet, were designed for passive operation, and included a special holder with a spring-loaded trigger that would break the glass ball when a fusible link melted. As was typical of this era, some glass extinguishers contained the toxic carbon tetrachloride".

The city of Minneapolis sends out the bomb squad to take care of these grenades. Saw one just the other day.

I still see quite a few of them, but usually in houses built around the 1920s or earlier. That one is more modern. The main difference is that the older ones are in holder made or metal rod. Filled with Carbon Tet. Some people collect them (after removing the carbon tet).

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Hey guys look at post #3

Being a firefighter I have seen many of these. Be careful as they are very fragile and filled with Carbon Tetracloride a known carcinogen which has since been banned as an extinguishing agent for years. As described before it has a fusible link which is spring loaded to break the glass container when it reached a certain temperature. Usually placed in the attic.

Incredibly informative. THANKS !!