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Other Vintage Household Electrical or Electromechanical Items For discussions about other vintage (over 25 years old) electrical and electromechanical household items. See the sticky thread for details.

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Old 23rd Jul 2010, 4:37 pm   #1
Colourstar
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Default Unusual 1930s Electric Fire

Here's quite a stylish 1930s electric fire! It fits in nicely with the period fireplace in my pre-war house.

I don't know what brand the fire is, as there are no clues at all. The diamond shaped element is in fact split in half to give two heat settings. The empty metal box on the back is a bit of a mystery- I wondered if it would have had a small lamp in it for back lighting, but there's no sign of it ever having had one.

The cable is original and terminates with a 1960s MK plug with a built-in switch.

I do prefer a real coal fire come the winter, but this at least makes the fireplace look attractive for the rest of the year. One day I'll feel brave enough to rip out the 1980s gas central heating and really go for that authentic one-warm-room-in-a-freezing-house period effect!

Steve J
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Old 23rd Jul 2010, 4:41 pm   #2
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Default Re: Unusual 1930s Electric Fire

Quote:
Originally Posted by Colourstar View Post
One day I'll feel brave enough to rip out the 1980s gas central heating and really go for that authentic one-warm-room-in-a-freezing-house period effect!

Steve J
Not to be recommended as you would have a problem with mould !!

Nice fire though.
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Old 24th Jul 2010, 12:05 am   #3
mark pirate
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Default Re: Unusual 1930s Electric Fire

What a great looking fire
It would be interesting to see what function the box on the back serves,wheres me screwdriver....

Mark
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Old 24th Jul 2010, 11:16 am   #4
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Question Re: Unusual 1930s Electric Fire

The box isn't the same colour as the rest of the back of the fire. Could this box be a modification for some purpose? Or a later, post-production fitment by the manufacturer? Something to do with the two heat-settings?

Upon a re-read, I see that it is now an empty box. Could someone have fitted a fan in there? Strange, I know - but we've all seen strange things that others have done to electrical items. I think the real clue lies in the colour difference.

Al. / Skywave

Last edited by Skywave; 24th Jul 2010 at 11:21 am. Reason: Partial re-write.
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Old 24th Jul 2010, 11:31 am   #5
Colourstar
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Default Re: Unusual 1930s Electric Fire

I was also thinking that the box looked like something added on, although the screws look as old as the rest of the fire. There are mounting slots at the bottom and some kind of mounting hole in one side. One thing I have now discovered is the manufacturer- Sunhouse. The name plate is covered by the box!

Here are some more pictures of the mystery box for you to ponder on...

Note also the large porcelain terminal block under the fire.


Steve
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Old 24th Jul 2010, 11:59 am   #6
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Default Re: Unusual 1930s Electric Fire

It surely is a later addition, as it covers the rating plate.
Does the back of the fire get hot in use? If so, I suspect that the box may simply be what came to hand when an earlier owner wanted something to space it away from the wall.
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Old 24th Jul 2010, 12:03 pm   #7
Brian R Pateman
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Default Re: Unusual 1930s Electric Fire

That's a very early Sunhouse indeed!

I think that the box on the back would originally have been fitted with a holder for a "Fireglow" lamp. Most Sunhouse electric fires had some kind of illumination.
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Old 24th Jul 2010, 12:41 pm   #8
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Default Re: Unusual 1930s Electric Fire

Looks like the back off an old telly! That is a really early Sunhouse fire. I thought they were post war. 'Sunvick' was part of the old Metropolitan Vickers Company and was seen around frequently before WW2 but not Sunhouse. J.
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Old 24th Jul 2010, 10:29 pm   #9
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Default Re: Unusual 1930s Electric Fire

That is a really nice looking fire!

I reckon Brian has hit the nail on the head. I bet there was a red bulb fitted in that box at one time so as to show a nice red glow from underneath.
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