Firex Fire Grenade Value Guide

The Firex Fire Grenade is a fascinating piece of mid-century fire safety history, notable for its automatic spring-loaded wall bracket. Unlike earlier hand-thrown models, this United States-made collectible utilized a thermal trigger designed to shatter the glass bulb and release carbon tetrachloride when ambient temperatures rose.

What Is Firex Fire Grenade Worth?

The typical price range for Firex Fire Grenade is $135 - $150 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Completeness of the unit, specifically the presence of both the glass grenade and the original mounting bracket.
• Condition of the paper label, as intact graphics significantly increase the value to $150 or more.
• The presence of the original chemical contents, though shipping restrictions on hazardous materials may limit the buyer pool.
• Overall patina and lack of corrosion on the steel bracket components.

How to Identify Firex Fire Grenade?

• Check for the original spring-loaded steel wall bracket featuring the thermal release mechanism.
• Verify the presence of the original paper label which identifies the Firex brand and provides usage instructions.
• Inspect the clear glass bulb for its original liquid fill, though caution is advised due to the toxicity of carbon tetrachloride.
• Look for the distinct bulbous shape specifically designed to fit the Firex-patented mounting system.

History of Firex Fire Grenade

Fire grenades were popular fire suppression tools in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Users would throw the glass bulbs at the base of a fire to shatter them and release chemicals. This Firex model featured a thermal trigger in the bracket designed to automatically release the bulb if temperatures reached a specific threshold, though the chemical inside was later discovered to be highly toxic.