Out Of The Blue Artifacts A Library of a lifetime of collecting
Siebe Gorman & Co Ltd Mines Rescue Air-line Bellows.
These Siebe Gorman bellows were used in conjunction with the smoke proof helmet, (made by the same company) They were connected to the helmet with a flexible air-line. The apparatus was widely used by the mines rescue teams throughout the United Kingdom in the early 1900’s.
Made from mahogany wood, leather and iron. Size 24″ x 14″ x 12″ inches.
They seemed to have had a mechanism which while the main chamber was deflated to push air to the wearer of the mask – via the breathing hose, the smaller front bellows inflated ready to push air out to the wearer of the mask at the action of re-inflating the main chamber. This would allow the wearer of the helmet to have a constant air supply on the up-stroke and down-stroke.
Siebe Gorman makers. At this time the Siebe Gorman Company address was Neptune Works, Chessington, Surrey.