1940's Pyrene Portable Fire Extinguisher

The Pyrene hand fire extinguisher from the 1940s is an iconic piece of industrial design, best known for its use in military vehicles and aircraft during World War II. Today, these fire extinguishers are prized collector's items due to their copper or chrome finish.

Key Features and Identification

• Operation: A non-pressurized hand pump mechanism. The liquid is dispensed by unlocking the handle (usually turning it a quarter turn) and pumping manually.
• Materials: Usually made of solid brass (yellow copper) or chrome-plated brass. Often feature a patina (age layer) if not polished.
• Markings: Features the "Pyrene" trademark, stamped into the metal or on a black-lettered label. Models from the 1940s often include patent numbers from the "Pyrene Manufacturing Company" of Newark, NJ.
• Dimensions: The standard "1 Quart" model (approximately 1.1 liters) is approximately 35–38 cm long and has a diameter of 7.5 cm. Historical significance
• Military use: Widely used during WWII; they hung on the walls of British bombers (such as the Avro Lancaster) and were standard equipment in American Army jeeps.