Dear Helaine and Joe: I found several of these in an old cotton warehouse in 1970. I know they are some sort of fire extinguisher. The label says "Red Comet, Littleton, Colorado, U.S.A." What can you tell me about these? — R.R., Louisville, Ga.
Dear R.R.: Fire has always been a terrible threat both in our homes and in our businesses. Today we have modern fire departments with the latest firefighting equipment manned by brave and highly trained men and women who come to our rescue almost at a moment's notice.
In years gone by, help was not so quick or so certain in coming, and people had to rely on themselves and on their neighbors for an immediate response that might save a dwelling or a place of business. Our early American ancestors were familiar with the fire bucket, and almost every middle- to upper-class house had a set of these leather containers that could be called into service if flames appeared.
The fire extinguisher that is so commonplace in modern homes, business, boats and automobiles was not invented until 1905. In 1863, Alanson Crane of Fortress Monroe, Va., invented and patented a liquid-filled glass "grenade" that could be hurled at the base of a fire in hopes of extinguishing the conflagration.
We feel that "hope" is the operative word here because it would have to be a minor fire indeed for one of these grenades to have much effect. The reason R.R. found several of these in the old cotton warehouse is possibly because they were kept in some quantity by the establishment's management with the thought that a veritable barrage of these devices might make a difference with a fire among the cotton bales.
Fire grenades were usually filled with either saltwater or carbon tetrachloride, and collectors should be particularly careful with the latter examples because this chemical can cause some serious problems.
Perhaps the most famous of the grenade-makers was Halden Fire Extinguisher Co. of Chicago, Ill. But there were a number of others who made grenades in a variety of colors, shapes and designs.
Fire grenades were meant to be used, which means that many of them were destroyed attempting to put out fires. As a result, some are very rare and prices can go above the $2,000 level. But others are far less pricey, and values for the grenades that are most commonly found fall into the $25 to $200 range.
Unfortunately, R.R.'s circa 1890 to 1910 "Red Comet" fire grenade happens to fall among the most common and least expensive. The fact that it is in good condition with all its original fittings is in its favor, but the insurance replacement value is still less than $25 for each grenade.
Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson are the authors of Treasures in Your Attic (HarperCollins, $18). Questions can by mailed to them at P.O. Box 12208, Knoxville, TN 37912-0208.