Vintage Pyrene Brass Pump Fire Extinguisher – Made in England – c.1930s–1950s

I’d date this to the mid-20th century, most likely c.1930s–1950s. The Great West Road, Brentford address is useful because Pyrene moved into its famous Brentford factory in 1930. Their brass pump extinguishers became widely used in factories, commercial premises and vehicles.

35 cm tall

8 cm round

Condition makes quite a difference with these. ours has particularly good untouched industrial character and the original engraved instruction plate and Pyrene T-handle, but some surface wear and no mounting bracket.( We have another extinguisher for sale at £30 in poor condition with a fixing bracket I will add this free of charge you might be able to make it fit but no guarantee.

Vintage Pyrene Brass Pump Fire Extinguisher – Made in England – c.1930s–1950s

A wonderfully evocative piece of British industrial and firefighting history, this original vintage Pyrene brass fire extinguisher dates from around the mid-20th century.

Made in England by The Pyrene Company Ltd, it has a cylindrical brass body with ribbed detailing, domed ends and its substantial original pump mechanism. The distinctive T-shaped handle is cast with PYRENE to both sides, while the neck carries the stamped reference D.A.50.

Most importantly, the original engraved instruction plate survives to the front. Although naturally worn with age, the Pyrene trademark, “Fire Extinguisher”, “Made in England” and the company’s Great West Road, Brentford, Middlesex address can still be seen.

Maker History

The British Pyrene Company was established in London in 1914 and became one of the best-known names in 20th-century firefighting equipment. Pyrene’s compact pump-operated extinguishers were particularly successful and were widely fitted to commercial vehicles, public transport, factories and industrial premises.

In 1930 the company moved into an impressive purpose-built Art Deco factory on the Great West Road at Brentford. Pyrene went on to supply firefighting equipment on a major scale, including equipment for industry and the armed forces during the Second World War. The company eventually became part of Chubb Fire Security in 1971.

The Brentford address appearing on this extinguisher therefore places its manufacture after the company’s move there in 1930.

Condition

A genuine vintage industrial item showing considerable age-related wear, tarnishing, discolouration, scratches, marks and areas of oxidation. The brass has deliberately not been polished and retains a wonderful naturally aged surface and patina. The instruction panel has wear and some loss but remains remarkably characterful and legible in places.

The mechanism has not been tested and this item is offered purely as a vintage collectible/decorative object. It should not be relied upon as functioning firefighting equipment.

Vintage Pyrene extinguishers of this type historically used chemical extinguishing agents, including carbon tetrachloride in some models. The original contents of this example are unknown, so it should not be opened, operated or dismantled without appropriate specialist advice.

A superb piece for an industrial interior, vintage garage, workshop, pub, restaurant or retail display, and particularly appealing to collectors of firefighting equipment, automobilia and British industrial history.

Please study the photographs carefully as they form an important part of the description and show the condition and wonderful aged character of this original piece.

All descriptions are given to the best of our knowledge and research.I’d resist polishing this one. That grubby, mellow brass surface and battered instruction plate are exactly what make it look like a genuine piece of working industrial equipment rather than a decorative reproduction.