Vintage Brass Auto Minimax Type D Major pump-action motor vehicle fire extinguisher

Established in 1903, the British Minimax company manufactured a range fire extinguishers including their most successful, the unique conical shaped fire extinguisher known as the ‘Minimax’.

A new factory was built at Feltham, Middlesex, in 1911, at the junction of Staines Road and Fagg's Road, 'Minimax Corner', which became a famous landmark. Soon 1,000 extinguishers a month were being produced. The Czar of Russia placed an order for extinguishers for his yacht Polar Star, and the Siberian Railway was supplied with Minimax extinguishers. Two hundred extinguishers a day were produced during the First World War, along with many thousands of aerial bombs. Between the wars, many new developments were introduced, including CO2extinguishers. Colliery protection with remote-controlled extinguishers became a speciality. 

Minimax also ventured into the automobile industry and marketed a domestic extinguisher called the Auto Minimax Type D Major pump-action motor vehicle fire extinguisher.

The Auto Minimax was mounted on a bracket attached to the wall or running board of the automobile and held about a litre of ‘carbon tetrachloride'. 

With a brass screw top it could be filled and then the T - Handle turned to the left and pulled back to charge the unit. The handle was then pumped back and forth to direct a reasonably powerful jet at the fire.

This is a fully working (empty) Auto Minimax and looks simply stunning. A fantastic and rare piece of auto-memorabilia, it would make a wonderful gift for any motoring enthusiast or someone looking for a unique vintage artefact for home display.

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