Fire grenades were small, hand-held glass containers filled with water or sometimes a chemical mixture and used in the 19th century to put out small fires. The glass would break when thrown at a fire, releasing the water inside to extinguish the flames. These devices were commonly found in homes, businesses, and even public spaces, and served as quick, early solutions to fire emergencies before modern firefighting equipment existed. Though they were useful for small fires, fire grenades had limitations due to their small water capacity and were eventually replaced by more effective firefighting methods like hoses and extinguishers. Over time, they became obsolete but remain as collectibles, with their colorful glass bottles. This amber grenade (c. 1880s) is amber in color and about one quart in size. It contains its original saltwater brine solution (the salt kept the water from freezing).