Aladdin suitcase stove

Discussion in 'Aladdin' started by Matty, May 12, 2016.

  1. Matty

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    G'day all,

    I originally purchased this suitcase stove believing it to be an Aladdin due to this Reference Gallery post https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/aladdin-twin-burner.11714/

    Now, I'm not so sure. The only manufacturers names are on the flame spreaders. They state. Companion SVEA Pattern. I'm well aware that it's foolhardy to believe the stove is actually a Companion due to the removable nature of flame spreaders. It is possible the original Aladdin ones were replaced with Companion.

    The sheer originality of the stove makes me think the Companion flame spreaders may have been on this stove originally.

    I'm not a stovie but this thing looks complete to me right down to the asbestos insert for the pre-heater. I would guess the entire tool kit is with the stove.

    Anyway, enough of my babbling on, I'll let the stovies take over from here and perhaps a decision can be made on whom manufactured this stove.

    I'm sorry for the poor pictures but I was battling the sun and the shadows it causes.

    In the last photo I put a Primus heater thingy in for a size comparison.

    Thank you for any help you may have to offer.

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  2. z1ulike

    z1ulike United States SotM Winner SotY Winner Subscriber

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    It sure looks like an Aladdin to me. I'd love to have one.

    aladdin.JPG

    aladdin1.JPG

    Ben
     
    Last edited: May 12, 2016
  3. Tony Press

    Tony Press Australia Subscriber

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    Matty

    It could be one of those odd Australian things from the post-WWII period, like my kerosene Coleman stove, which has both Optimus and Sievert burners, and Optimus controls, fitted to a bog-standard Coleman tank.

    Cheers

    Tony
     
  4. Robert Bruce

    Robert Bruce SotM Winner Subscriber

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    Looks just like my Alladin, dead ringer in fact, but I will check my burner rings to see. Mine is definitely Aladdin, even has the decals on it.

    Cheers
    Rob
     
  5. Robert Bruce

    Robert Bruce SotM Winner Subscriber

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    Matty, just had a look at mine, the suit case one has nothing at all on the inner and outer ring but my other one with no case which is identical but no suit case has the same as yours " Companion Svea " on them. Boath have Alladin decals on them. So may by Alladin used what ever was at hand or it was all they could get at the time.
    I think yours is an Allidin, as you know strange things happen when there is shortages.

    Cheers
    Rob
     
  6. Matty

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    Thanks for all the comments.

    I've placed my 1951 Aladdin Suit Case Stove side by side of this stove.

    Apart from many cosmetic differences I think you blokes must be right and it's an Aladdin.

    I think this must be a much earlier Aladdin by perhaps 10 years or more which surprises me as I didn't think Aladdin suitcase stoves were that old. I think this one was made for the army and I can only assume through the war years.

    Some of the differences include

    Double clips to close suitcase on this stove compared to 1 on the 1951 stove.

    Wing nut type fuel cap on this one compared to a flat cap on the 1951.

    The fuel pump is completely different in appearance and how it is fixed the the fuel tank.

    The fuel delivery pipes to the burner come out of each side of the tank on this stove where the 1951 stove has the pipes coming from a central point under the fuel tank.

    The suitcase is 5mm longer than the 1951 stove but the other dimensions appear to match.

    This stove has a built in tool box and metho bottle holder the 1951 does not.

    Sadly, the writing on the metho bottle is too far gone to make many words out.

    Overall, I guess Christer should move this to the Aladdin Gallery.
     
  7. abbahco1

    abbahco1 Subscriber

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    It's an Aladdin: Companion only manufactured under license to Svea/Sievert (and only their models).
     
  8. Christer Carlsson

    Christer Carlsson Sweden Moderator SotM Winner

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    Said and done, Matty.
    I also amended the title accordingly.

    Great stove. :thumbup:
     
  9. Matty

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    Thanks X 2 Christer.

    I'll get around to cleaning it up one day and unusually, I'll be keeping it.
     
  10. Tony Press

    Tony Press Australia Subscriber

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    @Matty

    I'm interested in why you think it's "much earlier by perhaps 10 years or more" and also military. And you've prompted be to go out later and dig mine out to see what it's got fitted to it. Cheers.

    @abbahco1

    Sorry for the confusion. I wasn't meaning to imply that it was a Companion; only that Swedish fittings appeared on Australian-made Companion stoves in the 1950s.

    Cheers

    Tony
     
  11. Matty

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    Tony,

    Upon re-reading my "10 years or more" statement, I realised I wasn't very clear.

    The 10 years was more in reference to my limited knowledge of these types of Aladdin stoves, actually, stoves in general. My knowledge limited me to thinking these stoves commenced around 1950.

    I then saw a post by Ross to a similar but not the same stove where he guesses the age of the stove to be "1930's" So, that's why I guessed the "10 years or more"

    Why I thought the military angle is, whilst the colour doesn't show up very well in the photo's it looks like army green to me. Not just the suitcase but the stove proper itself.

    Also, the instructions. They are comprehensive. The thing I did notice about the instructions is, there isn't a manufacturers name on them. I would have expected that if this stove was sold to the general public, the instructions would have promoted the manufacturer, by having their name attached. I know the original 1951 stove instructions did.
     
  12. Tony Press

    Tony Press Australia Subscriber

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    Thanks, @Matty - is there a print date code on the instructions?

    I just looked at my Aladdin suitcase stove (which I haven't fettler yet). It's burners have no manufacturer's markings, but the control knobs are marked "Aladdin".

    Cheers

    Tony
     
  13. Matty

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    Tony,

    There isn't a date stamp that I could find.

    There was something that took my eye. It is the writing at the very top of the the instructions 'Cookers, Portable (Aust)'

    The (Aust) makes me think these stoves were possibly imported.

    I did a couple of searches and did find a 1947 ad with a pretty clear sketch of the stove and it showed the suitcase was fastened with two buckles as this stove is.

    As an aside, I came across an Aladdin storm lamp ad that was a bit of a light bulb moment. I'm well pleased I did the searches.
     
  14. Funfundfunfzig

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    Just picked up this one...

    It has Primus regulated burners. There are some remnants of green enamel under the pan rings. It's been painted silver, probably to hide the severe chipping on them. Tank appears to be steel rather than brass.
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  15. Matty

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    Funfundfunfzig

    Both my Aladdin suitcases have steel tanks.

    I believe the one I have shown in this topic to be from the early 40's, with no concrete evidence. The other one I can date to 1951 because of paper work that came with the stove.

    I would be interested to know if these suitcase stoves ever came with a brass tank. If they did, I want one :)
     
  16. Matty

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    It is actually surprising how many of these are about when you look.

    Obviously there was a huge market for these stoves. It just makes me wonder why you don't see as many Colemans of this type. It's not easy to find a Coleman of this era and type.
     
  17. z1ulike

    z1ulike United States SotM Winner SotY Winner Subscriber

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    This thread reminded me that I wanted one of these. So I bought this one. I'll post some photos once it arrives from Australia and I get it running.

    [​IMG]

    P.S. - I love the patina!

    Ben
     
  18. abbahco1

    abbahco1 Subscriber

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    Ben, this is a great and solid stove. If memory serves, you'll need to attend to the gaskets between spirit cup and burner...I think there are lead washers inserted to form a seal (the spirit cups are free-floating and not part of the seal). Anyway, it's built like a Sherman tank and will outlast all of us...I owned a few of these (maybe they are still in a friend's workshop in Melbourne up on a shelf somewhere)...
     
  19. Funfundfunfzig

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    Ben! That makes you a fair dinkum Australian! I believe you now qualify for citizenship!

    What make are the burners? The knobs on these look to be unbranded? Looks ex military?
     
  20. z1ulike

    z1ulike United States SotM Winner SotY Winner Subscriber

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    Fair dinkum indeed! Yes, the knobs do look unbranded just like those on the stove that started this thread. I'm curious to know if it has the same Companion burners as well. I'll have to wait for it to arrive to find out. The photo I posted is from the auction and the only one I have.

    I don't know about citizenship but I'm trying to talk my wife into spending a couple of months down under while our house is being remodeled next winter. I'm thinking we rent a caravan and see the country. Summer, Kangaroos, and Fairy Penguins yipee!

    Ben