Not an everyday expression! Thanks. My old Optimus 45 was an L and so came with the tin. My 'holy grail' Optimus 45 years back came also with the tin. I've always wondered why the tins were so uncommon for the 1-3/4 pinters, because such tins are really nice, and, more importantly, it's hard to handle a collapsible stove that doesn't come with a permanent container, especially given the multiplicity of parts of the brass classics. From a collector's point of view, finding a good original tin along with a discus stove is a rare thing, in contrast to the 1-pinters and smaller.
The tins sure are hard to find. I just got back from antiquing, and I searched with a certain fervor, haha. Saw so many things that would have probably worked to store the 45 in. The antique biscuit tins are expensive. Saw about ten of them, ranging in price from $45, to $85. No thanks, haha.
At least here at flea markets all kind of 'current time' tins are easy to find. Not always exactly correct size that is needed, but I buy sizes that I think that I need some day to storage. Prices vary from 5-25 eur (~ 6-30 usd). I only buy if price is under 10 eur. 00 stove size tins I have bought with 2-5 eur. At least here 'antique' means 5-25 times higher price tag for same product that can be found at flea markets. So I almost never go to 'antique' stores/shops.
Years ago I was lucky in finding the 'cardboard valise' for the SVEA discus stoves. Paid €3 at a flea market. The year before I had found the SVEA stove itself (with silent burner) for..... €1! As the burner was soldered onto the fount, I had to find another stove (which I did) to fit the traveling case. It is funny to see all these old empty tins we used to throw away are now being sold for ridiculous prices. Even modern coffee tins by Illy are sold for €2!
@Afterburner The wife and I go antiquing nearly every Sunday. I was looking for stoves, was just checking out the tins, as there were so many. Thought an old tin would be cool, until I saw the prices, haha. My wife has a tin collection, I'll first see what she has that may work. When I get it in, and get a better feel for size, it'll make the decision easier. @Wim It's amazing how much they are now.
For my Primus 96 stoves, I try to get parts deals when I can, some have a tin with them, so been lucky to have a tin for all my collection of these small stoves. Found a nice 1.75 pint tin over the winter but it isn't sized for any stove I have, so it is with my stoves in my man cave. Duane
Just got the 45 in. Super stoked about it, the first stove like this I own. I think she's gonna clean up fine and dandy.
Any idea of the age of this? I took a few photos. Trivet ring: Tank. Pretty cruddy: Some of the writing/logos: Bottom of tank: Can barely see the Optimus globe logo: Burner: Wrench: Supports: Pump. She needs a new leather, which I have ordered: Fuel cap:
Looks like it was stored more than anything else. Can ya oil up the pump cup? Work some oil of about any type in it, some are beyond help. Duane
Yes, I have some Fiebings neatsfoot oil for leather, I'll give it a soak. I also have a kit ordered for this from the Fettlebox. Some of that tarnish is really thick. I took some Mother's to a few parts of it briefly. It's going to shine up nice I think, but she's gonna take some major elbow grease. I need to order some citric acid perhaps.
I don't know the year but I can tell that your writing is different from mine in that the type of lettering is completely different on some areas such as the underside of the font. Also, mine is a single underline whereas yours is a double underline at the "No 45" stamp. My burner, flame ring, and air flow screw is also different as well. Some of the information on my post may be of help to you. Optimus No.45
Judging by the trivet, the combined filler cap/airscrew assembly, location of the script on the tank and the brass (rather than nickled steel used earlier) leg supports on the tank I'd posit late 1940s as a date of manufacture. Optimus didn't use a date code like Primus, but, based on other stoves I have and the catalogues in which they appear I'd say late 1940s - 1950.
Warrior it's your baby and now know it's not "one of the later ones". Let's thank cookie as well, there's a lot to absorb in his content-rich post including link to Kerophile's: Dating Clues for 45 post (in 2014 ). Of course abbahco1's "late 1940s - 1950" gives you the narrow year range right out of the shoot, sounds good. I join your thanks to him as well . Now, given approx. age, doing your own process of elimination may be of no interest. It looks to be *original, there are many details to consider, i'll probably refer to it in future. *I don't recognize the wrench, myself. Did it ever come w/45, Optimus stove, is it Optimus? (as a stovie I've no clue re lamp wrench) Thanks and congrats.
Thanks @OMC , appreciate it. I believe the wrench is the incorrect one. From Googling it, it looks like the one that came with it just has the opened end on one end, and round on the other. The one I got with it, says made in Sweden on one side, and nothing on the other. It appears to have been painted as well.
