Recently acquired this older MSR – I think it’s a Model G, but I could use some help to firmly identify it. The body is fairly dark, but it appears to originally have been a light blue color. Flint striker, no pre-heat coil. It has the yellow pump with metal shaft, and with the MSR logo on the plunger. The base also has the MSR logo, but no patent numbers. No date on the fuel line block, but it came with “Backpacker Stove Model 9” instructions, dated July 1975 in the lower corner. Other than the scalloped burner bell, shorter striker and pot supports, what the heck is the difference between a Model 9 (or 9A) and the G? There also does not appear to be a cable in the fuel tube - if you look closely at the picture, there is nothing protruding from the end, although there does appear to be something in the tube. I’m not that knowledgeable about MSR stoves – in the 80s I picked up an early Whisperlite (non-shaker, gray and black pump), used it for a few trips into the backcountry, and promptly put it back on the shelf in favor of my never-fail Svea. While I didn't have any problems with the Whisperlite, the pump seemed flimsy and I was worried about reliability/breakdown while on the trail. Now I see why folks are more positive about the earlier yellow pump - seems much sturdier. Thanks!
Looking at the pot supports, I too think it's a "G" and not a Model 9A, but I'm not 100% sure, particularly since the instructions are from 1975, which I believe is before the "G" was introduced. Clearly, since it has no scalloped edge on the burner, it's not a 9. The fact that the burner bowl is blue adds credence to the idea that it's a "G" and not a 9A. It could just be that the instructions are older than the stove itself. I've seen a lot of this (older instructions included with a newer stove) from the early days of MSR. Duane, how are you making the call between a "G" and a 9A? HJ
My 9A circa 1976 came with: No scalloped edges on the stove body. No fuel clean out cable. A yellow pump. Attached striker.
Do we know of a 9A HJ? After the 9 all we know next were three versions of a flat generator going over the burner, either 1.plain, 2.with a bit of tin per Docs stove and 3.the one with the wire coil like mine and Sam's. Were one of these the DF? Duane Mine or one of my G's is blue, in pristine shape. Do I have one or three of these, have ta consult my list.
If you're asking whether or not there is such a thing as a 9A, then yes, there is such a thing as a 9A. As to exactly how to distinguish a 9A from a "G," I'd feel better deferring to Doc on that. I do know that the "G" came with a blue body, or at least I've seen a number of them that came that way, so I'm suspicious that the stove originally pictured in this thread is a "G" not a 9A. HJ
My old 9 & others I've seen had a non-plastic base plate - bit like hard fibreboard. It also had a square cock on the pump. This is the only pic of it I can find at the mo. I no longer have the stove.
I no longer own the MSR 9A. A number of years back, unable to remove a stuck jet I sent the stove to MSR repair. They phoned me and said as they were also unable to remove the jet, they would replace my 9A with an XKG. It seemed, at the time, to good to be true. I said yes.
Ross, Thanks for that photo and the detail about the bottom of the stove. I'm pretty sure that the stove originally pictured in this thread is a "G;" I'd just feel more comfortable with another set of eyes on the issue (Doc's). HJ
Thanks for all the replies. I'm still not sure what the difference is between a 9A and a G, though, and now I'm really curious about that! FWIW, in comparing my stove to others identified as Model G's in other threads, there are a few minor differences - don't know if they mean anything or not for model identification purposes: - while the flint striker on mine looks to be about the same length as a Model G, the knurled knob on the striker is shorter and stubbier (more like what's on the Model 9 pictured above). And on those identified as a Model G, the knurled portion is somewhat sleeker and longer (as shown in the Reference Gallery and as in this thread - https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/2807 ) - the nut holding the striker to the body is also a different design, the Model G is a "full" nut while on my stove it's sort of hollowed out (again, like what's on the Model 9 pictured here - https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/2003 ) - there is no cleaning cable, just a rod in the tube. Thanks! John
Interesting! The "problem" with MSR stoves that, particularly in the early days, MSR did a lot of minor variations. It's hard to pin stuff down. They were constantly experimenting with little tweaks here and there. Minor differences year to year (or even within a year) were frequent. If you see two stoves and see a clear difference between them, it doesn't necessarily mean that they're not the same model. It may only mean that the MSR techs tried some new variation. I'm pretty sure that it's a "G". Sorry I can't be more authoritative, but I'd rather not issue a "pronouncement" and then later find out I didn't know enough to make the call. God willing, Doc will be along in a bit and give us another viewpoint. HJ
Here are the instructions that came with this stove. Though these aren't the greatest quality, I'll also post these in the reference section since these aren't listed there. .
Hello everyone! I'm so excited to be part of this forum and share in the excitement of collecting and using vintage camp stoves, and other various camping equipment, with like minded people. I'm sorry if I'm going about posting this in the wrong manner, but this literally is my first post as a New member. If anyone would care to help please feel free. Thanks
Hi dustyluv, Nice enough post but posting it on the end of another technical thread that hasn't been touched for several years is not the ideal place to post as it affects the quality of the info in the original part of the thread. Best idea would be to repost your post in a new post in the Lounge section and maybe add a little bit about yourself and the stoves you already own or are interested in. Then the mods will be able to tidy this thread.
