the Atomic Bomb
Description: This specimen is Petrified Wood with Carnotite and Uraninite laced throughout. It was collected by a miner in New Mexico during the Uranium boom. Note the penny for size reference.
Weight: Over 50,000 grams (112 pounds).
Activity level: 100,000 CPM.
Not for sale.
_______________________
Rare Depleted Uranium Counterweight #1 from Boeing 747 Aircraft
Description: A byproduct of Uranium enrichment, depleted Uranium is about 50-60% less radioactive than natural Uranium. It consists of U238 almost exclusively, and it is a very heavy dense metal. It is used for radiation shielding, tank armor, highly penetrating projectiles and was used in counterweight applications on some commercial aircraft up until the 1980’s, when it was phased out and replaced by Tungsten.
This 28 pound depleted Uranium elevator counterweight below most likely came from a Boeing 747. It is 24” long, 3” wide, and less than 1” thick at its thickest point. As can be seen in the second photo below, it was been embossed with a Depleted Uranium stamp. This counterweight does not appear to be coated with anything other than paint. It maxes out a CD-v700 on contact, and reads greater than 300 CPM at 12 feet away.
Not for sale
_______________________
Rare Tungsten Counterweight from Boeing 747 Aircraft
Description: This massive 71-pound elevator counterweight also exhibits the same density as Depleted Uranium, however it is made of Tungsten (which in the early 1980’s began to replace DU in aircraft). A close examination of a barely legible stamped part number at the top of the weight indicates it is a Tungsten replacement part for the original DU counterweight. However, the Caution Hazardous Material stamp is not consistent with Tungsten, but rather with DU. Depleted Uranium violently sparks and emits toxic dust if drilled, sawed, etc.. This counterweight registers a background level of radiation, which in addition to the part number, shows that it is not DU.
This is an incredibly rare and an outstanding example of an exotic ultra-dense metal used for aircraft control surfaces that optimized weight while minimizing space. It is in immaculate condition. The bottom photo shows an excerpt from a Boeing repair manual that portrays this sort of elevator counterweight.
Not for sale
_______________________
Incredibly Rare, Extremely Active and Beautiful Radium Emanation Apparatus from the Very Early 1900's - Unused, with Original Box and Instructions
Description: This blue cut glass Radium emanator was discovered in an old doctor's office in Seattle, and is from the very early 1900's. As can be seen in the photos below, it is unique in several ways. This device is "individual" serving size - the beautiful deep blue cut glass container is about the size of an 8 ounce glass. When filled with water, the Radium probe would release Radon gas into the water for later drinking. Note the old rating of 30,000 mach units of "radioactivity" on the probe.
Scarce information can be found out about this online. This article is the only online reference that we have located for this very unique Radium emanation apparatus: Jeden Tag ein Schlückchen Radioaktivität - Konradin Verlag
Condition: This emanator has never been used, and is in the original box with instructions. The only modest sign of its age is the slight deterioration of a rubber gasket at the top of the glass where it adjoins the lid. It is now stored in a Nalgene Beta blocking container.
Price: Not for sale.
_______________________
Radium Ore Revigator in Superb Condition
Radium Ore Revigator in Superb Condition
Description: Very rare Radium Ore Revigator in superb condition from the early 1900's. The Revigator was patented in 1912 by R. W. Thomas, by the Radium Ore Revigator Co. of San Francisco, CA. According to instructions printed on the Revigator and a copy of the 30 page instruction manual (included), the user was supposed to fill with water overnight. The water would be irradiated by the uranium and radium in the liner (which was made with the Uranium mineral Carnotite), and then was to be consumed the next day. Marketed as a health device, in addition to Radon, the water also contained arsenic, lead, vanadium, and uranium - all of which were in the liner. Do not drink water from the Revigator.
Condition: This is by far the best condition we have ever seen in a Revigator. It almost appears to be unused as can be seen in the series pf photos below. The included instruction manual (a photocopy of the original) is incredibly interesting and technologically savvy for its day. We're located in San Francisco, and recently took the last photo below of the old Revigator building, which is now vacant and run down. However, in its heyday, this was a successful company.
Size: 12" tall and 9" in diameter. Weight: 10 pounds.
Interior Radioactivity: This interior of this Revigator measures over 30,000 CPM and approximately 10 mR/hr on a Ludlum Model 3 detector with a 44-9 probe.
_______________________
Here is the largest piece of Pitchblende ever found…almost one ton!
And probably the second largest high grade Uranium mineral specimen...
* Above images from the 1955 book entitled “Uranium and other Miracle Metals” by Fred Reinfeld
_______________________