Virginia Metalcrafters U F Fire Insurance Mark Plaque 22-3 Cast Iron

This Virginia Metalcrafters fire insurance mark is a heavy vintage cast iron wall plaque with the maker's mark and 22-3 pattern number cast into the back.

The black painted plaque has bright red and yellow raised details, with visible surface wear and scattered paint loss, while the cast design remains strong and there are no chips or cracks noted.

The raised early steam fire engine and large U F letters give it the look of an old American fire mark, making it a strong display piece for a firefighter collection, firehouse room, office, or historical wall display.

Details

• Item: Fire insurance mark wall plaque
• Item Type: Decorative fire mark reproduction
• Era: Mid to late 20th century
• Materials: Cast iron
• Color: Black with red and yellow painted details
• Maker and Mark: Virginia Metalcrafters logo and 22-3 cast into the back
• Pattern or Model: 22-3, United Firemen's Insurance Company steam pumper design
• Style: Historical fire insurance mark reproduction
• Dimensions: Approximately 11 inches by 8 1/2 inches by 1 inch
• Special Features: Raised steam fire engine, U F lettering, two mounting holes, hanging wire on back

Condition Grade: Very Good

Positives

• Graded Very Good: This plaque remains solid and display ready, with its raised cast details and painted fire engine clearly visible.
• The red steam pumper, yellow wheel rims, and large yellow U F letters remain bright against the black background and give the design strong contrast.
• The back retains the cast Virginia Metalcrafters maker's mark and 22-3 pattern number, which identify the foundry and design.
• No chips or cracks are noted, and the substantial 4 pound 13 ounce weight gives the piece the heavy feel expected from cast iron.

Issues / Wear

• The black surface shows scattered rubbing, scratches, uneven finish, and small areas of paint loss consistent with age and display.
• There is visible paint wear around portions of the outer rim and on some raised details.
• A wire is currently attached through the two side mounting holes for hanging.

Condition Grade Key

• Near Fine: Close to new. Any flaw is small and named above.
• Very Good: Light use. Every flaw is named above, and none of them get in the way of reading or display.
• Good: Complete and usable, with clear signs of use. Every flaw is named above.
• Fair: Heavy wear or damage, named above. A reading or working copy, not a display piece.

Collector's Notes

Fire insurance marks were historically used to identify buildings insured by particular companies, and later reproductions kept those early American firefighting emblems alive as decorative pieces.

The colorful steam pumper and heavy casting give this one plenty of presence without pretending to be an original 19th century policyholder fire mark.

Shipping + Trust (Reading Vintage standards)

• Photo-verified condition, no surprises
• Packed with care. Glass and fragile pieces get extra cushioning
• Ships in 2 business days
• Free Shipping on $35+ (U.S. only)

Disclaimer

All items are vintage and may show signs of age, wear, or use consistent with their history. Photos show the exact condition of each piece, please review them carefully, as they are part of the description.

I do my best to capture colors accurately, but your monitor or device screen may display colors slightly differently from the actual item.

Please Note

These pieces come from estate collections and have been surface cleaned. You may wish to perform additional cleaning depending on your preference.

How Reading Vintage sources and grades every piece