accrington metallic brick

BOB · 11-02-2015, 15:20

just been a walk up the old line at Baxenden and found a old brick with the name Accrington metallic brick any one know any thing about them

Accyexplorer · 11-02-2015, 15:58

One of these bricks?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/28709338@N04/2688361169/

BOB · 11-02-2015, 16:19

This one got some marks on it

Accyexplorer · 11-02-2015, 16:59

It's probably just the name given to that type of brick due to the metallic effect on the brick (though that doesn't explain the red brick in my link), I know very little about them so I'm unable to comment further,there are however more knowledgable members on here when it comes to bricks who may be able to help.
Also, it may be worth using the search box located at the top of the screen as there may well be brick threads on this forum.

Hope you get the answers your looking for Bob

DtheP47 · 11-02-2015, 17:59

This link mentions "alumina" aka refractory ore.
It's possible that's where the metallic name came from.

Old Bricks:England 3 - A

Bob Dobson · 12-02-2015, 10:12

Local firms also made 'plastic' bricks.
All NORI bricks had a frog in them

BOB · 12-02-2015, 11:54

yes i found the brick in the river at Baxenden must have been in the water for years not far from the old print works near to white croft i think it could be from Baxenden pit cant find the same brick on the web

Morecambe Ex Pat · 12-02-2015, 16:13

Those dark coloured bricks were fired longer than the standard facing bricks to harden the surface, They were known as engineering bricks and were used in jobs where they were subject to heavy loading.

Accrington bricks were so successful because of the iron content in the clay and as every Accringtonian worth their salt knows, that is how they became known as NORI bricks. Whether the legend is true, that the pattern maker reversed the letters by mistake is a myth we will probably never discount or prove.

Retlaw · 12-02-2015, 20:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morecambe Ex Pat

Whether the legend is true, that the pattern maker reversed the letters by mistake is a myth we will probably never discount or prove.

Can we once and for all make an end to the so called legend that a mistake was made, that Iron became Nori, Cowcrap. Having worked as a pattern maker for over 12 years I know from experience that it is nigh on impossible, firstly more than one pattern maker would have been involved in the manufacture of the brick making machinery and all patterns are checked against the blue prints by the foreman before going on the foundry, then the iron moulder didn't see any errors in spelling, next the iron dressers , than the machine shop, next the fitting and assembly shop, and final testing before going to the brick works, and nobody saw a spelling, because there were no spelling errors. It was what the brick yard wanted. So will you amateurs SHUT UP with your wild guesses.

Rowlf · 12-02-2015, 21:45

Good story though.

Morecambe Ex Pat · 13-02-2015, 07:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retlaw

Can we once and for all make an end to the so called legend that a mistake was made, that Iron became Nori, Cowcrap. Having worked as a pattern maker for over 12 years I know from experience that it is nigh on impossible, firstly more than one pattern maker would have been involved in the manufacture of the brick making machinery and all patterns are checked against the blue prints by the foreman before going on the foundry, then the iron moulder didn't see any errors in spelling, next the iron dressers , than the machine shop, next the fitting and assembly shop, and final testing before going to the brick works, and nobody saw a spelling, because there were no spelling errors. It was what the brick yard wanted. So will you amateurs SHUT UP with your wild guesses.

Good grief!
I am now an official member of A.D.C.R. - Accrington and District Cage Rattlers.

Nigh on impossible for a mistake to be passed through all of those processes?
If the mistake was on the blueprint then the end result would match the mistake.

DtheP47 · 13-02-2015, 13:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retlaw

Can we once and for all make an end to the so called legend that a mistake was made, that Iron became Nori, Cowcrap. Having worked as a pattern maker for over 12 years I know from experience that it is nigh on impossible, firstly more than one pattern maker would have been involved in the manufacture of the brick making machinery and all patterns are checked against the blue prints by the foreman before going on the foundry, then the iron moulder didn't see any errors in spelling, next the iron dressers , than the machine shop, next the fitting and assembly shop, and final testing before going to the brick works, and nobody saw a spelling, because there were no spelling errors. It was what the brick yard wanted. So will you amateurs SHUT UP with your wild guesses.

So now you have debunked that little urban legend in your inimitable n grumpy way Retlaw. Any cogent explanation why they would want to call it NORI then?

Don't leave it hanging in the wind like a Florida chad.

Morecambe Ex Pat · 13-02-2015, 13:31

Perhaps the real reason was the chimney wasn't high enough to paint 'ACCRINGTON BRICKWORKS' on, although I have not consulted any experts when making this amateur assumption.