Revo electric fire - Age?

[hamid_1]

Picked up this lovely-looking vintage Revo electric fire recently. Cast iron with a green / white enamel finish. It works, too!

There is a nameplate on the back, but no model number mentioned. The 'Amps' rating is illegible, however the fire consumes 1.1KW according to my smart meter. My mains supply is around 245V - a bit higher than the fire is rated for. I'm guessing it was designed to be 1KW at 220-230V.

Does anyone have any information, such as what model it is or which year(s) was it made? I was told 1940s - that sounds likely, given the Art Deco styling, but if anyone has any catalogues or adverts that could date it more precisely, I'd be interested to know.

[Paul_RK]

Snap! - well almost, as mine is the 2kW version. I saved a screenshot of a page from a Revo catalogue sold not long ago, which identifies the model name as Moderna, but doesn't give a date: my guess would be around 1936. Mine has the same tiny brass plate on its back, with no legible voltage or current data: also a much larger one, as shown. I suppose I should steel myself for a possible demand for its return to Fulham Borough Council, though I can't see why they would bother as it would never pass a PAT test...

Paul

[dave walsh]

I saw a fire of this type but a different design at Punnets Town on Sunday. One chap said it dated from 1910. I mentioned that my house in Sussex was built then. He asked if I knew that Ferranti also made a similar design but in Bakelite [although with the hot bits located in a metal frame]. I suggested that maybe Bakelite was thought to be some sort of universal material at the time!

Dave W

[Paul_RK]

I do like the green enamel finish. and there was even a matching cooker:-

https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/File:I...14BCM-Revo.jpg

We have this Revo model or a very similar one, which has followed us around since the first and only house we rented, back in 1980: but its main colour is grey. Again it's from c. 1935-36.

[Tractorfan]

Hi,
Possibly slightly OT (apologies), but the council estate I grew up on was built during the early 50s and the concrete lamp standards were made by Revo. I clearly remember the name embossed into the access cover at the base.
I wonder what else Revo were famous for?
Cheers. Pete.

[G6Tanuki]

My parents had a Revo Regal cooker in the 50s and 60s.

Revo were also big makers of switchgear in the past, along with brands such as Bill, MEM and Sanders.

[broadgage]

Revo also known for street lighting, and street lighting controls.

[hamid_1]

Thanks for all the replies, especially Paul RK - I knew there must be some Revo experts on here!

I also remember seeing street lights with REVO TIPTON moulded into the casing. But until now, I hadn't encountered one of their domestic appliances. Other than the entry in Grace's Guide, I didn't know much about them. This electric fire came from a car boot sale. The seller told me it belonged to his grandmother and he thought it was from the 1940s, but it seems like it could actually be a decade earlier. And now I know its model name is "Moderna".

It's always interesting to have a bit more information about vintage items. It certainly adds to the enjoyment. Thanks again!

[mark_in_manc]

I remember my aunt having something similar to one of these. I think the idea was to take the grate and front firebars out of the opening for a domestic coal fire, and one of these would fit right in. In my mind I can see it in one of those semi-circular tiled fireplaces done in brown and beige which were pretty universal for the 40s and 50s!

[Paul_RK]

Well, I'm hardly an authority: here's my third and currently final Revo item (we used to have a second and larger 1930s cooker, but found it a new home a few years ago).

[electronicskip]

There is an older thread referring to Revo electric fires.
https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=130779