How to remove old Edwardian cast iron fireplace?

[MrWiddles]

Hi

I have 3 out of 4 of my original Edwardian fireplaces including the sitting room. However, one tile on the sitting room fireplace is completely smashed by the nail that previously held the asbestos sheet covering it.
By good luck they are only teapot brown tiles rather than anything more exciting.

I have managed to purchase a full set of original art nouveau majolica tiles in very good condition and want to replace the brown ones .
(the bedroom fireplaces and front door stained glass have art nouveau motiffs and for various reasons I suspect that the sitting room fireplace original tiles may have been replaced at some time)

Normally I wouldn't be squimish over doing this but reading a previous
article about fireplaces having a big hook at the back, I'm a bit concerned. (see http://periodpropertyshop.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2931&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=fireplace+hook

The fireplace in question is about 56" tall with a 52" mantel shelf, it is an all
in one cast combination, ie shelf, jambs, tile insert, fireback etc and 12 tiles
The fireback is some kind of cast stone

In the above response it was mentioned that some cast iron fireplaces had
hidden hooks, is this common? if so how could I tell so that I don't do any damage (I already know where the lugs are)

By the way, I will be putting it back once I have replaced the tiles ('')


regards
Steve

 

[Penners]

I've dealt with a few cast iron fireplaces, and I've never seen one of these big hooks. However, I do not represent a scientific sample!

 

[arl]

ive just bought a couple of victorian fireplace inserts (1870 and 1890) and neither had hooks.
You could try looking in salvage yards to see if you can find something similar. then you would be sure about the hooks.
I found two identical to the one in my bedroom. to be honest im a little dissapointed to find i have a common one, the ikea of the victorian era.

 

[Lime]

Hooks are not that common in my experience.

 

[MrWiddles]

Thanks for the replies, seems that hooks may not be an issue.

I hope to remove the fireplace during the winter months, I'll probably need
to redecorate afterwards anyway.

Incidently, I have seen a similar reproduction - if you google
for cornucopius fireplace you can see a similar repro. However mine has
an extra 5 inches height due to the addition of a sixth vertical tile and mine lacks the horn design. The date is given as 1890 but my house is definately
Edwardian. The dining room had a similar fireplace given the outline on
the plaster before I redecrated.

Hopefully the registration number on the fireplace back will give
a clue to house date

regards
Steve