I have an old stove that I am trying to identify and date. Unfortunately I can't post a picture of it so I will do my best at describing it.

It has a galvanized steel fount with the following markings: Clayton & Lambert MFG CO.
C & L coil
Detroit Michigan

The fount has a filler hole plugged with what looks like a bronze eye bolt pipe plug. It has a brass pressure pump with the following marking PAT MAR 18 1902

There are three 1/4 rods mounted in the top of the fount 60 degrees apart that extend upward approx 10" creating a tower. A 3/8" tube comes out of the fount controlled with a brass screw valve. at the top of this tube there is a "tee" fitting. On one side of the tee it goes into a coiled tube. on the other side of the tee is a brass screw (possibly an air valve).

At the bottom of the coiled tube there is a 90 degree elbow made from bronze or copper. there is a 1/4" diameter tube screwed into this that is flattened at the opposite end forming a handle (this end is sealed) . There is a very small hole in the tube right
next to the 90 degree elbow. (possibly where the flame comes out ???)

On top of the three posts (forming the tower) is a cast base that seems to be formed to hold a pot (similar to a gas stove burner ring).

There is a steel handle with a wooden grip at the top (similar to a lantern) . The handle is removable with two brass dove tail/key slot connectors.

Can anyone help me Identify this item. I think it is a stove, possibly for kerosene ???.

I have checked all other pics on this sight and there does not seem to be one here like mine.

I should have noted in the original post that there is no burner. It appears that the fuel is ignited at the base of the coil shooting a flame up into the center of the coil which in turn heats the fuel.

The check valve on the bottom of the pressure pump is an external type. There are two small posts with a metal valve plate (like a reed valve) which is held closed by two springs....

I found this article so far....


Ypsilanti, Michigan, in the year 1882, three young and aggressive brothers named Lambert started a pioneering venture - the manufacturing and sale of gasoline burning blow torches. Mechanics found the intense portable heat of these torches useful and time saving in the soldering of pipes, etc. As word spread about these new handy devices and the demand for them grew, the business flourished.

In 1887, a patented firepot for melting lead was added to the torch line. Its inventor, a Mr. Clayton, was taken into the partnership. Growth continued and in the year 1891, Clayton and Lambert Mfg. Co. filed Articles of Association with the state of Michigan.

By 1899, demand for the Company's products had increased beyond its productive capacity. A larger manufacturing facility was needed. Detroit was becoming the center of manufacturing for that section of the country and offered many advantages. A site with railroad facilities was purchased and a suitable plant was built. At this time, this location was in the center of a growing automotive industry, with neighbors like Ford, GM and Cadillac.

The torch and firepot business continued to grow and prosper with distribution throughout United States and Canada.

In 1915 the Company established a metal stamping division for the manufacture of automotive parts. During the World War I, the Company produced powder time fuses, truck cabs and large quantities of torches and firepots for all US services.

After the war times were good and business was booming. The metal stamping plant was sold to Hudson Motor Car Company. Clayton & Lambert now headed by Charles F. Lambert moved in to a new factory in 1929.

During the depression years, Clayton & Lambert managed to keep its torch and firepot business intact and continued search for additional business. At the start of World War II, a shortage of brass made it necessary to make cartridge cases out of steel and Clayton & Lambert was awarded a Navy contract to produce these at their plant in Detroit and at a new plant in Ashland, Kentucky. After the war the Navy decided to keep the production facilities for future need and purchased the Detroit plant.

Clayton & Lambert now decided to move their headquarters to Louisville, Kentucky and purchased an existing company, Hoffman Gas and Electric Water Heater Co. Subsequently, the torch production was moved from Detroit to the new facilities in Louisville, KY. Another company, Lamneck Company of Middletown, Ohio was also acquired.

During the Korean War, Clayton & Lambert produced millions of steel cases for Army and Navy requirements. At the Government's request they also designed a special flat tank torch that could fit in a Government tool kit.

In 1956, Clayton & Lambert purchased a six acre site at Buckner, Kentucky and started to build a new factory which was ready in 1957. The production of blow torches and firepots was moved to this new factory in 1961.

The production of gasoline torches and firepots was discontinued in 1970 because they had almost become extinct due to the use of plastics.

I found a picture that is similar: it can be viewed at this sight: (hopefully the link works, it's a long one)

http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=perso.wanadoo.fr/laurent.bel/images/WClayton_Lambert_50.jpg&imgrefurl=http://perso.wanadoo.fr/laurent.bel/WebphotoAE.htm&h=300&w=504&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dclayton%2Band%2Blambert%2B%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26oe%3DUTF-8%26sa%3DG

View pictures number 46, 49,50, 51 under Clayton and Lambert photos (photos are not numbered so start from the top and count down....)

Thanks for looking

The link works but you have to copy it into your address bar as it did not link directly.

Thanks again;

Bill

Hi Bill,
I took a look at the site & before my eyes glazed over from all those blow lamps I think I saw the one you mean! It's commonly referred to as a furnace & was used for melting metal, tar etc & these products usually fit into the portfolio of products made by blowlamp manufacturers as they are industrial rather than domestic/leisure. I would guess kerosene as the fuel. It's a mean looking piece of kit & I bet it can boil a kettle pretty damn fast!
Cheers,
Ross

Thanks Ross,

Sorry for the blow torch exposure. I haven't been abe to find many others like mine. This is the closest one so far.

I agree that this thing must have been used for industrial use. I never thought of this before you suggested it. But looking at the thing it would need a pack all of it's own in order to carry it on an outing. It would weigh about 20 pounds full of fuel.

I wonder if it was used to melt lead or babut that was used to seal old cast iron sewar pipes.

I'd really like to find some operating instructions for it. Any suggestions.

Thanks again,

and my compliments on a great sight.....

Bill

You could ask Hans at Blowlamps Unlimited. He has a broken link to a instuction & maintenance manual from the '40's that may feature your furnace.
Cheers,
Ross

WOW, I sent my enquiries to Hans and received a very informative reply. Thanks so much for the assistance.
I hope to fire this old girl up this weekend. I'll let you all know if I still have eyebrows after this...Greetings from Canada...

Bill