https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZbWEw3qgvg A rare helmet from the fire department at the former Marsh & Baxter meat factory in Brierley Hill, the Black Country area of the West Midlands, is up for auction at Fellows. Marsh & Baxter were a renowned butchers in the Black Country area for over 100 years. They expanded nationally with over 50 outlets specialising in some of the best pork and sausages on offer throughout the 20th century. Marsh & Baxter had their own fire service, the rare antique brass helmet up for auction is an example which would have been worn by the service. The helmet is Lot 575, estimated at £300 - £400 in Fellows’ Antiques, Silver & Collectables sale, taking place on Monday 3rd June. The helmet has a leather chin strap with applied brass ring details, with Merryweather & Sons maker’s plate to its underside. An historic company, Merryweather & Sons have supplied national fire services since 1692. Furthermore, the brass scuttle shaped helmet has a Marsh & Baxter Brierley Hill face plate, marking it as belonging to the factory’s firemen. Marsh & Baxter opened in 1871, and despite the meat rationing during the Second World War, the firm hit their heights in the 1950s. Unfortunately, the Brierley Hill factory closed in 1978. The helmet is an exciting item with a fantastic local connection and is expected to achieve a good price at auction. Antique brass Merryweather firemans helmet Lot 575 in the Antiques, Silver & Collectables sale. Kevin Jackson, Auctioneer & Senior Specialist in Antique & Fine Art at Fellows, said: “Every now and then we have an item go under the hammer which has a great link to the local area. As Fellows has always been based in the West Midlands it’s extra significant to have an item such as this helmet up for auction. Marsh & Baxter were a hugely popular butchers many years ago and I’m sure this helmet will generate a lot of interest amongst people who have a personal connection to the West Midlands or the Black Country.” Fellows also have another Merryweather fireman’s helmet in this sale, Lot 574. The Antiques, Silver & Collectables sale is now available to view online and in person at the following times:31 May 2019 10am - 4pm 1 June 2019 11am - 4pm 3 June 2019 8.30am - 10am Photo ID is required