Not too sure how to begin, but here it goes. I'm searching through a local Craigslist for stoves. I come across a posting that has a couple of pictures. What catches my eye is a very interesting looking stove that appears to have two burners and a brass tank. I email the seller to have her send me more pictures. I get them and see it's an older Primus stove. I called her and we agreed to meet the following day and that I'd agree to purchase the stove. That evening, I do a few searches for the specific stove through Google and only find a few listings. Not realizing, I should have been searching under Optimus, rather than Primus. I start realizing that what I've found might be kind of rare. The next day, I meet up with the lady and sure enough, it's a Primus 22. No markings at all that it's Optimus brand. I ended up buying the stove, along with a Gaz stove and lantern. They were $10 apiece, so what the heck, right? I get the stove home and sure enough, there's still some fuel in it, so I oiled the leather, pumped her up, got some fuel in the cups and lit her off. After heating up, the burners settled down to a good flame and they were extremely adjustable. My only question, how rare is this stove? I saw how to gauge how old it is, but I honestly didn't see any markings. Any input would be appreciated. I kind of bought it as an investment, and am thinking about listing it on eBay, but I'm still not 100% sure. If this is something that I'll never run across in my life again, then I'll probably keep it. I'm torn... Thanks in advance for any help! Additionally, I know it's alcohol use only, but what type of alcohol? I'm presuming not rubbing alcohol/isopropyl alcohol...
I have seen those 22's going on E-Bay for several hundred dollars. The 22 will burn kerosene with the right jet. The alcohol is ethanol which is sold as marine stove fuel in hardware stores. I wish I could find one for ten bucks you stole it!!
Were not allowed to give valuations but the real reason for this is to stop us telling you you have been ripped off but as we are feeling sorry for you we will buy the stove off you for half what you paid. Seriously even in NZ one of these stoves with rust instead of paint will still fetch $100 plus. I want one. For one like yours I would pay 3 times what you did. Problem is all the sellers want 10 times
I'll be honest, I didn't pay $10 for it, it was double that.... All I seem to see are posts about Optimus 22's, but if my deductive reasoning is correct, Primus was bought by Optimus? I'll need to do some more research on the family tree. I've looked through the galleries at the Optimus 22 stoves, and not one has the same valve control knobs, but there was one with the same burner assemblies. I saw basically the same one on eBay right now, being sold as unlit, for around $300. I'm not too worried about a value, I'm just more curious about how rare this one would be. I'm just glad I got it. The lady I bought it from had a guy email her from Florida, offering to pay $40 for it, but she'd already committed to sell it to me. Thanks for the info so far!!!
3 knobs on these White Black and Red Red is alcohol the other 2 kero or petrol. Cant remember which is which. Kero ones are most common
That's a sweet deal. Reminds me of an ad I saw on Atlanta Craigslist a few years ago for a two burner kerosene stove that needed new seals. Free. Turned out to be a pristine Optimus 535, and "needs new seals" apparently meant that the pump leather was a little dry. I've paid stupid money for some of my collection, so it's nice when things sometimes even out a bit.
Well, against my better judgment, I've listed it on eBay. I hope that it goes to a good home. The plan is to use the funds to go towards a road bike in the spring. I really hope I didn't make the biggest mistake of my life...
You know, when I did the listing, it didn't give me any options for NZ... I'm curious as to why... I chose Australia, but I guess it doesn't include NZ. I'm sorry.
I voted "flip it" because I want to buy it. But I've already been outbid and I haven't even bid yet! I hope it goes to a good home. Like one of us.
Looks like the current high bidder is from Norway. It ends today. With the bidding where it's at, I'm fairly certain it's going to a good home. I think whoever buys it, I will ask to have them send pictures of it when it gets into their possession. I want to see where it actually ends up.
