Another dumb one

[tombear]

This is for anyone in the Rossendale Valley.

Does anyone know where I can piick (or dig) up a 18th or early 19th century brick or parts there of?





I want to make my own metal polish and after about 1850 they made them in a different way so ain't suitable for grinding up into a fine powder.

ATB

Tom

 

[Tengu]

try asking your local arcitectual salvge, they probably have odd ones or brokens that are no use

 

[EdS]

why not just dig up soem clay and dry it yourself?

 

[tombear]

Hi Folks
I finally past a salvage yard and popped in. Lots of very nice stone, no wood and a few types of brick. The earliest stuff he had was hand made but larger than I was expecting at 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 by 2 and 3/4 inches (well just over all of those) and he couldn't give me a date on them.

Anyroad he kindly gave me one (to buy they are only 50p a pop but the thought was generous)

Anyone any good at dating such things? The sites I found gave me no joy. I assume its from somewhere local to me in East Lancashire...

ATB

Tom

 

[British Red]

No good at dating but if you slide past my place sometime, fill yer boots - its all 18thC brick

 

[tombear]

Cheers! Its all 2 foot thick bl**dy stone here, sniff!

If I do pass remind me to bring a bag as you don't half get funny looks when you walk a mile or so with a brick in your hand.

or it could have just been the mutton chops I had shaved in on Saturday....

ATB

Tom

 

[tombear]

I've just stumbled on a excellent guide to bricks

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=...BwQ6AEwADgK#v=onepage&q=dating bricks&f=false

especially from page 59 onwards.

From what I've read the brick is most likely mid to late 18th C so now I have established its likely suitability I am going to beat the cr*p out of it with a old lump hammer then going to grind and sift it into a fine powder. I think I better pick up a charity shop mortar and pestle rather than face the wrath of herself.

All this to avoid buying Brasso (Ok and give a authentic period finish but what the hell!)

ATB

Tom

PS It would seem that Bridgewater is the best place for the right sort of brick...

http://www.bridgwatersomerset.info/history_7_bath_brick.php