Hi Fionn,
My partner works in the scrap industry, and was given a copper Dewar see photos.
For several years, we thought it was a whiskey still (friends and visitors to our house simply thought it was an elaborate bong!) However, I have done a little research on it over the past few days to see if it has any value (historical, economic etc), and discovered that it was probably used in mine rescue or for fire fighting purposes.
We are located in Tasmania, and have mines mostly located on the North West Coast - although, most people are now familiar with the Beaconsfield mine after an accident there two years ago, and the subsequent rescue of two miners several days after the initial collapse.
So I guess there is a possibility that the Dewar was used in a Tasmanian mine.
Are you able to give us any information about its possible value (for insurance purposes), and its use? Also, how common are these Dewars?
Obviously, copper prices would have consigned many Dewar’s to the scrap heap.
Many thanks for any information you are able to provide us,
Simone Brinsmead.
