I found this stove on a list for an upcoming auction and wanted to know if anyone could id it from this photo alone. It is listed as optimus%20cook on their list. Approximate age?? thanks Murray
Easiest solution would be to send the auction house an email asking them what is written on the stove. Terry
Hi, I reckon an Optimus No.5 from 1950/60s. The typist wanted to put a 5 after the Optimus but pressed the shift button at the same time and got %. I don't know where the 20cook comes in ! Like this one, perhaps: https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/22641 Best Regards, Kerophile.
No:5! Why did I put No:1? Heads all over the place! I actually thought it was a roarer at first glance.
Hi Ross, don't put too much faith in my eyesight! I have just had another look at the seller's image and it could be a roarer burner and flame ring. Worse still, the pan-ring appears as if it could be a Svea model, having those "dipping points" on the inside end of the supports: https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/4416 What fun! Best Regards, George.
I agree with the others that it appears to be an Opti 5 from the time range stated. Optimus made these for several decades but the older ones had a tighter bend at the tops of the pot support legs. Opening the curve a little saved some metal and a few cents of production cost. This would be a good stove for you but keep in mind it looks like the burner caps are missing which is quite common as they just sit on the burner unsecured. You can find replacements easy enough but it'll add to your restoration cost. I love these silent burners. My last stove acquisition was a Svea 5 also missing the caps. Not very rare but still a beautiful stove and great performer. I'm sure you would also enjoy this Optimus if you decide to go for it. Ray
Aye! The eyes have it! After reading George's last post I can be wrong too. It is a low res pic but I now see that the pan ring isn't fitted in the slots so the burner top looked low to me like a silent head missing the caps. Murray, any of these Swedish stoves are excellent quality and fun to fettle and use. If you can get it for a good price I'm sure you'll be happy with it.
Thanks everyone for your helpful comments. I will try and go to the auction house and look at the stove before the auction, if that is possible. Once I have further info I will post what I have found out. I can just feel the love and joy that all of you have when it comes to these wonderful pieces of history! Those responsible for setting up and maintaining this site deserve a big pat on the back as it allows a lot of like minded people to communicate regularly and share their passion. Again, Thanks Murray
I think it's a silent with the caps held in place with the typical wire across the outer cap. I could be wrong. Please let us know what you find out. And, like murrayg says, it's great that there's folks who set up and maintain this site. But, please don't forget - it's the contributions of thousands of stove fans over these years in the form of pictures, documents and knowledge that make the site useful. Without their generosity and kindness in making these donations to CCS, CCS would be a bit like a library with no books.
Hello again Murray! Sounds like the best guess is Optimus No 5s or No 5 silent same thing. Recalling your previous post, then, a Opti 45 was recommended. As a newbie stovie SIZE or SCALE was the thing that most often tripped me up. Here's a recent post I did touches on size https://classiccampstoves.com/posts/283461 I agree a Opti 45, or similar, is good choice. FYI re size, a Opti 5s is bigger a 45 is 1 3/4 vs the 5 is 2 1/8 pint (.9 vs 1.2L). Your need is, I think, for portable. I see you picked up a also popular 1/2 pint Primus 96, it has a different burner as u see. I think I can say the burner type on the 45 (and several others) is more common maybe easier to source parts. Size: The larger 5 is a "fixed leg" and may be considered base camp and considerably bigger to tote around, mostly, because the pot supports / legs are fixed. The 45 (& several other similar mods) is a Pack Stove or collapsible and can be boxed to be ALOT smaller. Note and I already kinda regret this note cuz the others know WAY MORE than I do but your pic isn't great and the pic in my link isn't great either but you asked "age" I see 2 pics and "looks like" (I may be wrong) that it may also be as new as 80's (u know imo the older the better)? https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/672 I hope you find a working "user" (your 1st?) if that's the goal, a1st step and if it's on-the-cheap even better (money left over for stove #2, 3 etc ha!). Many ads show it "lit", for u now there's a plus and not always a whole lot more sell price. It's also GREAT you not only work w/artic wilderness preservation BUT YOU personally SHARE your experience putting on exhibitions for schools etc. If you display a working stove you might just "hook" dozens of young new stovies!! All noble contributions I thank you kind sir.
Bon Jovi, I think you're right Gary! Murray, if this does have the burner caps secured by a wire then the fettle could be a breeze. The stove appears to be in good condition. You may only need the washer kit from the Fettle Box. You're always ahead of the game when you get things as complete as possible. Ray
First off apologies to the author of this thread. BernieDawg, why Don't you **** off back under the stone you disappeared to last time. I ignored your snarky comment in my thread about meths but your latest attack on someone who has provided everyone here with so much is unwarranted, childish, petty, jealousy and loads of other things but I haven't time to waste on you. If this site offends you so much, why don't you set up your own at your expense. No didn't think so. Remember when you didn't know one end of an NRV to the other, I do. Where did you get that knowledge, here! You as all of us do owe this collective a great debt, I personally owe you **** all. Who facilitated all this sharing, the very man you attack. I am fuming to the point where I invite you to discuss this face to face. House rules I'll PT you the address of my gym if you require.
Thanks, Ray. It might be there, but I'm not sure. Maybe Murray will be able to figure it out if he's able to see the stove or visit it at the auction house. Nice job on the history from everybody, by the way. Your estimations sound great to me.
BernieDawg: I went and looked at the stove; you were quite right, it has a wire across the burner cap. It is an Optimus 5S alright. The burner cap (if that is the right term) has deteriorated some but the remainder of the stove looks great. My interest for this stove is for my education program and I would just display this with any others that I might obtain. I am trying to set the scene of a HBC Trading Post in the early to mid 1900s. I use a few different artifacts and lots of props like animal hides, bones, feet, antlers, skin clothing etc. I also try to showcase some of the tools both pre and post contact with European explores. This stove (if I can buy it) will add to that display. Thanks again Murray
Hi Murray, just in case you wondered what the "S" stands for. https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/124 Best Regards, Kerophile.
Hi, the "5S" designation pushes the date of this stove back to the early 1950s or earlier. Optimus marketed the No.5S in the 1952 catalogue, but it had been dropped by 1956/7 catalogue, where only the No.5 model was available. Best Regards, Kerophile.
As Gary who is seeing "Red" at the moment implies, I sure DO appreciate the collective here. Side note over reaction or not pushback supportive of Ross is warranted, imo (it's enough to piss off a lot of members), i appreciate that too and good to see it right away. Our cooperative... in this post thank you for setting me straight, George for the 5S detail and Murray that your intent is not a user but addl stoves for display (to add to the 45, 51's and 96). I would still suggest a user, a big part of this collecting imo we can USE 'EM, all the while, no worries, they will outlast us. Others may know but I may not be the only member still curious, does it SAY Optimus No 5s right on it? or Optimus No 5? thx
ok, i'll bite. BD, re: Without their (BD & others) generosity and kindness in making these donations to CCS, CCS (Ross's site, his inspiration and initiative, in-part his life's work, a legacy ANYONE would be damn proud of) would be a bit like a library with no books. BD re your comment above, as was suggested elsewhere (or now call it an over reaction) BD **** off! Oh my no Murray, don't think for a second it was your comment. Like you overwhelmingly, WE'RE THANKFUL
