Hello! I recently stumbled upon this site and discovered this thread featuring the Svea 121L. I have loved this stove ever since I adopted it from my father. My late father, an Estonian, served with the Finnish army in WWII. He was shot on the front lines against Russia and that ended the war for him. He then made it to Sweden in late 1944, early 1945, and lived there for 8 years prior to coming to Canada. Sometime between his arrival in Sweden and him leaving for Canada in about 1953 he purchased this stove. It's possible that he bought it used because this stove looks exactly the same now as when I first set eyes on it .... When he came to Canada he brought it with him. When I was a teenager I discovered the stove and immediately adopted it! I camped a lot in those days and this stove has been all over western Canada. I used it as a tool back then because it worked so beautifully. Over time the stove was left in storage until this last Saturday night. For the first time in about 15 years I lit it up! (See below for the pictures and video) Now that I've rediscovered my old gem, and having viewed the finely polished stoves on this site, I'd like to bring back some of it's original shine. Does anyone have any recommendations for doing this the correct way? Anything I should avoid? Please let me know what worked well for you? Also, I'd like to purchase a new seal for the pump. Does anyone know where I can get one? Perhaps I just need to oil this one. Given that I have never unscrewed the cap for the pump assembly I'm also wondering how easy it will come off? Any advice you can provide? Please advise. Thank you! Here are the pictures. Enjoy...... PS. I tried to post a little MP4 video of the stove in action but received an error message. Can someone please let me know how I can post it?
That's a very nice stove. Knowing it's history I would be reluctant to do anything except clean it, replace the washers and seals (and maybe the nipple), and keep using it. But, if you do want to 'restore' it, there are plenty of examples of similar restorations on this site. Try some Kerophile wisdom here: https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/stove-restoration-parts-1-to-4.3963/ You can get all your washers etc from The Fettle Box. Cheers Tony
Welcome Goldbandit! That is a really good first post. The good news is that your stove can be easily be restored to how it was when your father first bought it. Tony has said what you may need - which is to replace all washers and seals and probably the nipple (jet). Everything you need can be obtained from eBay but The Fettlebox, run by the site owner, can supply everything you need. You can buy a seals kit. The one for a Primus 210 or Optimus 00 will do. You will also need two tools. One to extract the nipple and one to remove the non-return valve at the bottom of the pump tube. However, in the short term, you might not need anything. It appears to be working already. Use a nipple (jet) pricker a few times and then run the stove and use it a few times again. You are concerned about the pump. No problem, just unscrew it. If the pump leather seems to be OK but maybe a bit dry, then just oil it. I use 3-in-One oil but others use Neatsfoot oil and some use Olive oil, Engine oil, etc. If you want it gleaming then that is also easy. I use 'Autosol', though any automotive cream cleaner will do. I cut corners by using the polish on a Dremel polishing pad. If you want to replace all perishable parts, here are the Fettlebox links: https://fettlebox.co.uk/kit-b-optimus/primus-etc-1-pint-for-00-210-etc.html https://fettlebox.co.uk/nipple-jet-key-for-roarer-burners.html https://fettlebox.co.uk/pump-valve-nrv-key.html Good luck with the stove. If you require further information, then just say so and you will get plenty of good advice.
Thank you for all the replies, much appreciated. I'm going to order those washers and seals and when I get some time will polish my stove. Cheers! Martin
