Ok, please have a close look at the above legs, i ve stuck on a 1912 plain No.1 leg on this one and its not the same size or height and it is noticeably of a higher quality, this could be down the Senior etc difference though it could also be down to manufacture age and an earlier process use. The 2 legs that came already stuck on look to have been forged by hand, especially the tips of the pan supports... the fuel cap is of a smaller diameter than the standard and this could be just a model difference, i dont think it has been modified. Id look note that it came with the same cap as this stove which is clearly at the other end of the primus production spectrum. https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/15905 there is nothing printed on this cap, the words primus on the body are also more elongated when compared to 1912,13,15 that i have though they are all standard no.1 s any ideas about age ? an important clue might be the fact that there is no abbreviation on the bottom or on the side txt a/b ... when did they bring a/b in ? its present on my 1912 No.1 the pump cap that came with it (not shown in pic) has the words primus made in sweden and looks standard, though the brass pump leather brace with what usually looks like a flat screwdriver slot , has a very thin slot (ill take photos of this soon and update) let me know ur thoughts...
Yonadav, I don't think Primus ever used an external NRV. The earliest stoves (pre-1896, or so) used another kind from the one we are used to, but it was still mounted at the bottom of the pump tube. (The whole tube was removable to service the NRV on those.)
Hi, I think it unlikely that this stove can be pre-1911. If you study Peter Watchom's (abbahco 1) post in this thread: https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/5763 You will see that the introduction of the 'S:or', or Senior, designation on Primus stoves didn't come into use until after the Primus sunken filler patent if 1919. It occurs to me that it is probably worth checking the dating of any other claimed "very early" 'S:or' Primus stoves in the Reference Gallery. Best Regards, Kerophile
ok, i just need to clarify: 1) why there is no date code on the bottom, ie no letter where it should be 2) why is abbreviation a/b not used, neither on the side or the bottom? 3) also why is the filler cap this way ?
Hi, your stove is marked up as made by B.A.Hjorth and Co. It is possible that this dates it to post 1918, when they took over AB Primus : https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/7 I am not clear what you mean by the abbreviation a/b being absent. I will need to look at the early catalogues to see when this style of combined filler cap/air release was used. Best Regards, Kerophile.
ok then there is this one https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/13557 this one has a date code and abbreviation a/b , date code A, well mine has no date code, and no abbreviation, i'm suggesting again that its pre 1911, again it has the filler cap that fits a 96, any comments or who else should i contact for dating ?
ill take a pic, but the where on the side and on the bottom of these stoves, they have a little a/b, this one does not have that, if its post 1918 why no date code letter? someone else posted one (1 S:or) with the letter A?? this one https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/13557
the imprint on the bottom is the same as the 1912 i have but, this one has no letter, and no little a/b, ill add the photo
Hi, I just had a quick look at the early Primus catalogues and the first mention of the 1:S or appears to be in the approx. 1913 catalogue: https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/13644 However there is a separate filler cap and air-release screw on this model. The combined filler cap/air release screw shown on your stove is unusual for an early Primus. It could possible be a later replacement.... I have seen somewhat similar fuel tank caps on very late Primus and Optimus stoves from post-1962. Best Regards, Kerophile.
I know you keep saying post 1918, and now post 1913 etc, but there already 2 posted No 1 S:or from 1911 on this website with date code A, if there is no date code on this one it has to be older?!, also i found that the legs look like this pre 1911 https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/13464
Hi Ausvantage. I am sorry if I have caused confusion. I am no expert on dating early stoves. I study the catalogues and literature that has been gathered on the CCS site, and try to contribute to the discussion and queries. Here are my thoughts to date: 1. You certainly have an early Primus No.1S:or stove. 2. It has the correct makers marks for the period and the lack of date code suggests that it is pre-1911 when dating codes were introduced. 3. The post by Peter Watchom, who is a very knowledgeable stove collector, confuses me as to the post 1918 date of introduction of the :S or stoves. You point out that the are stoves of this type in the Gallery with the A date code, and the catalogue with an estimated date of 1913 does show :Sor stoves. 4. The type of filler cap on your stove is unusual for such an early Primus, but there must always have been a combined cap/air release as there is no separate provision for an air release screw. Hopefully others will contribute to the thread, and perhaps help with more precise dating. Best Regards, Kerophile.
Thanks for the reply, i would like to also add that i am assuming that the filler cap , is most likely a replacement, and the proper cap is similar to a no. 96 cap with as in a round cap with a screw on top, ie no wings... thank you for your contribution, i think the legs will play an important part in dating, i'm fascinated that its so hard to work out, when did they start putting in the a/b? and when did they start the raised spirit cups ?
Answers: 1) Because it's pre 1911 2) as above 3) as above More accurately it's no earlier than 1904 to the best of my knowledge (using the library material here & I'm pretty sure I don't have any offline material to narrow it down further) The flame end of the legs on these early models often look battered - by heat & corrosion. Possibly a different grade of steel in the erly days as I rarely see the same degree of damage on later models.
I agree, likely a replacement. Probably a plainer cap as you describe. That's the way it's shown c1907. The a/b came in just before 1911 I believe.
Hi Ausvantage. I am surprised by your statement: "I'm fascinated that its so hard to work out" If it wasn't for Ross' CCS Site and the good-will of the many people who have contributed catalogues, photographs and their combined knowledge, it would be an impossible task. We are talking about items which are now over 100 years old. "One fool may ask more than seven wise men can answer". [1666 G. Torriano Italian Proverbs 249] Regards, Kerophile.
Hi, I you read the text associated with this 1912 (approx) catalogue you will see that in this year stoves are available with the spirit cup in either the upper or lower position. https://classiccampstoves.com/posts/133441 Best Regards, Kerophile.
Ok, we might be able to narrow it down if someone can give an approximation of when they started putting the little feed on the bottom on the legs.. i notice that in this catalogue quoted as circa 1907 they are not present : https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/8743 but are present in the 1912 catalogue.. btw i m also under the impression that the brass of this one is better than other seniors of a later date... i'll weigh it and see thanks for all the contributions.. ps. i have a Cat Brand stove(optimus 45 copy) i still need to post...
Hi, you asked earlier about the absence of A/B. the abbreviation A/B or sometimes Akt Bol refers to Aktie Bolag: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aktiebolag It is possible that the legal status of BA Hjorth and Co. changed at a date later then the manufacture of this particular stove. Best Regards, Kerophile.
