Old fireplace questions from a newbie.

[caderade105]

This is the fireplace that we believe to be original to the house we bought. City records say the house was built in 1920 but we have photographs from 1917. Best we can tell that electrical, water and an addition were completed in 1920 and thats when the city started taxing it and considereal it "built." Main structure appears to be a kit home of some kind circa 1900. My questions are about the marked areas and these are my assumptions. 1 is a grate that slides side horizontally and allows more air into the fire from beneath. 2 Is the damper on a hinge. 3 I have no idea, maybe meant to redirect heat into the room. It is a small hinged door behind a grate with control lever that protrudes through the decorative grate. #4 is a push pull control that sounds like it does something behind the fireplace. Any input on how to best optimize the heat output would be great. The previous owners of 30 years did not use it. We have had the chimney inspected and repaired, however the company only could inform me about #1 and #2 and how to use the ash clean out door that drops into the basement. Thanks in advance!

 

[bholler]

This is the fireplace that we believe to be original to the house we bought. City records say the house was built in 1920 but we have photographs from 1917. Best we can tell that electrical, water and an addition were completed in 1920 and thats when the city started taxing it and considereal it "built." Main structure appears to be a kit home of some kind circa 1900. My questions are about the marked areas and these are my assumptions. 1 is a grate that slides side horizontally and allows more air into the fire from beneath. 2 Is the damper on a hinge. 3 I have no idea, maybe meant to redirect heat into the room. It is a small hinged door behind a grate with control lever that protrudes through the decorative grate. #4 is a push pull control that sounds like it does something behind the fireplace. Any input on how to best optimize the heat output would be great. The previous owners of 30 years did not use it. We have had the chimney inspected and repaired, however the company only could inform me about #1 and #2 and how to use the ash clean out door that drops into the basement. Thanks in advance!
View attachment 269127

That is an old coal burning insert. Is the chimney lined?

 

[caderade105]

We belive it was a coal stove originally, the chimney is brick structure and is lined with stainless steel. Since my post I have identified some parts stamped with EAJACKSON&BRO.

 

[bholler]

We belive it was a coal stove originally, the chimney is brick structure and is lined with stainless steel. Since my post I have identified some parts stamped with EAJACKSON&BRO.

Yes that was never meant to have wood burnt in it

 

[caderade105]

Yes that was never meant to have wood burnt in it

Good to know thank you. We do plan on having a gas insert installed at some point. Thanks for replying. Are we going to do any harm by burning wood? I assume coal would be a lot hotter but I have less experience with coal than I do with wood.