I can't believe what I have just done! I have just bought the stove shown below from Ebay without even knowing what it is! I only collect No.2 army cookers, but got sucked in by the buy it now price. Please could you put me out of misery and tell me what I have just bought?
Hi Eddie, it is a Military stove; a Centreforge CF 82: https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/8975 About £400GBP new..... Best Regards, Kerophile.
Thanks guys, I don't feel quite so bad now that I know what it is. It was just listed as an army petrol stove. I paid £25.00 for it, plus £5.00 P&P It had had 11 views when I looked at it, and I just pressed 'buy it now' without even really looking at it! I just thought that if No.2 cookers seem to be going for that kind of money, then something which looked far nicer, had to be worth the £25.00 asking price.
Hi Eddie, Great purchase! It is interesting to see what the seller said about this stove: Please read carefully as I want to ensure you get a full and honest description: This is the actual stove which came from Oman in the Middle East. This was used on regular camping trips and is a simple and very efficient cooker. I have not used it for a long time and it will need careful checking and a service before use. I emphasise this as petrol can be very dangerous and I value your safety first and I have not tested this stove recently! The pump valves of these stoves can stick when not used for a while but this is usually a quick fix or just a matter of pumping a good few times before use to bed the valve. It is very similar to the British Army No2 Petrol stove with tank, burner, pan rest, long control knob and small spanner. The stove folds into a self containing steel box with carrying handle.
I was going to add that info, but you have beaten me to it. Thanks. Oddly I saw my first ever Optimus 8R a couple of days ago, and also got to have a play with it, albeit a disastrous one, as it was petrol version and the owner hadn't used it for a number of years. Nice to be told that after discovering that the tank seal had hardened/broken, and he had over filled it! Still, I enjoyed the experience, and also the look of the cooker, so a version of the 111 will be right at home with me. Thanks again for the replies, it is appreciated.
Looks like a really good stove. I hope you'll post flame shots when you have a chance (and have made sure the stove is safe!). HJ
Hi Eddie, as this stove is based on an Optimus No.111 with a silent burner it should be relatively easy to convert to paraffin fuel, just a new jet and cleaning needle. It would then be a much better, and safer stove IMO. Best Regards, Kerophile.
Yay the new to me stove arrived today. First impression was that it is actually quite heavy. Not sure what I really expected in respect of that. I was also expecting hard and or perished rubbers etc. Not at all, and they seem surprisingly healthy. After a very very quick inspection (for my own safety) I couldn't resist the first test lighting. After using No.2 stoves without the silent cap, I was amazed at the silence. With a little bit of fettling, I reckon that my £30.00 including P&P was well spent.
Someone has just kindly offered me the stoves shown below for free. They are having a clear out at home and don't want them any more. Another stove version that will be new to me. I can't wait to to take delivery. I have decided to make a nice restoration of the Centreforge, and I have already started to strip it down. I've restored many classic race bikes, but this will be my first stove. All of my other stoves are just in an 'as is' condition. In truth I am very fussy when it comes to restoration work and with this in mind.... I have one question (for now) What finish would the tank originally have had. Were they Polished or matt, and would the brass have metal grain showing(if that makes sense) and if so which direction?
Hi Eddie, I recommend that you go and buy a lottery ticket as soon as possible. They say good luck comes in threes! Regarding stove finishes; here is an extract from an earlier post: " The stove makers polished and lacquered their stoves to make them attractive and desirable to customers. They knew that the final bright factory finish would be preserved in transit and storage until the happy customer, seduced by its beauty, paid the money and took it home." and here is a link to the complete post: https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/3963 Best Regards, Kerophile.
Great purchase! I really like the nice solid box. It looks like the burner id recessed enough to keep the wind from causing any grief. Congrats on a super buy Dave
