What is this?

[peejman]

 

 

 

My wife's granddad (just turned 89 and going strong) has this but he can't remember what it is.  The "pitcher" appears to be copper and about 8" tall and 3" in diameter.  The "brush" is made from a fairly porous stone, but not so porous as pumice. 

 

Anyone recognize this?

[surfabilly]

looks like a fire starter. fuel in the canister to soak the stone (usually pumice), light the stone and place under your firewood.

[Jamie Jackson]

I'll be darned. That's interesting. I've never seen one before.

 

Looks like surfabilly is on it. :up:

 

Google yield this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-CAPE-COD-BRASS-FIREPLACE-FIRE-POT-FIRE-STARTER-/400660691443

[hipower]

Yes, Grandpa always had one near the fireplace. It was a treat when he'd let me start the fire.

 

I was easily entertained when I was younger.

[Omega]

That is ingenious, and they say our predecessors were technologically impaired.  It always amazes me to see some of the gadgets of our past generations, which we then made into throwaway versions.

[monkeylizard]

It always amazes me to see some of the gadgets of our past generations, which we then made into throwaway versions.

 

To be fair, a Duraflame log is a lot safer than what's essentially a pitcher of kerosene sitting by the fireplace

[Omega]

To be fair, a Duraflame log is a lot safer than what's essentially a pitcher of kerosene sitting by the fireplace

Sure, but instead of putting a better seal on the canister we make a disposable version which only has a one time use.

[peejman]

Fascinating, thanks very much gentlemen.  :up:

[Grand Torino]

I remember my grandpa had one of those...worked like a charm.