A 'scrapheap challenge' of an Optimus 711 ( Link ). Worn out nickel plating, bizarre homemade windshield for use in stove mode, and definitely non-original heater parts. Hardly a show-stopper but nevertheless perfectly functional in both modes, an ideal garage companion in the colder months. Hard lives are what paraffin stoves were made for.
I really like stoves like this one. A real user with practical modifications. Not pretty like the NIB shelf queens but the scars of a long hardscrapple life give it a beauty all its own. Stoves were meant to be used and it looks like this one gave its former owner years of faithful service.
Igh thank you for another interesting post, I do like that you shared it as No. 711 STOVE referencing circa 1939. I apologize for adding some confusion but it almost seems Optimus catalogs like it that way. They make no reference that at it's core it is a No.5. They "introduce" a No.710 heater with various option. They had their marketing reasons NOT to show it as features / options for a No.5 (god knows why, I can't even guess). On tank we see No.5, in link there's no mention of 5 AND depending on various parts this SAME No.5 is a 710 Heater, 711 Heater stove, etc etc 7710 or 7711. That said, +1 with Ben I sure do LIKE your 'scrapheap challenge' No.711! Tank lid PN side note, if you suggest that SRV lid on vented tank is original I'd have zero disagreement (I think it is). The catalogs will confuse the point and one day that PN might become known, no need for it here and now. thx again omc
Hi Ian, interesting post. I note that Bryan's Optimus 711 also has a pressure release valve on the filler cap: https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/16491 I wonder if this Optimus I posted several years ago was also an Optimus 711? https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/7211 Best Regards, Kerophile
Thx Kerophile, I was mistaken above as it is a 1S... 1"S" and not a 5, although in-error with the number if 1S is inserted (vs 5) my point and comments still apply. sorry guys omc
Hi George, Interesting questions. Bit of check up in the reference catalogues seems to indicate that the only '1S' tanks fitted with the filler cap incorporating the over-pressure safety plug were those destined to be used for the heaters and heater/stoves. But even the catalogue photos can be misleading, the key point of evidence is in the parts lists n.b. 1939 catalogue p.6 part no.299 and p.12 part no.297. Your 1S, on the other hand, I suspect will have been out of one of the deluxe traveller outfits, although the 1939 catalogue only lists the plain brass version, not the nickel. Ian
Ian, George and all, I did a double take but Ian cleared that up nicely. If we are talking tank lids I want to expand on my previous comment re lids "... one day that [299] PN might become known" 1939 catalog Ian referred to p.6... page #'s, his 6 & 12 were the image #s btw and then he is VERY CLEAR, the heaters came with SRV lids, thx again for that Ian. My expanded comment will refer to the page #s. we start with easy one as Ian points out p.26 STOVE No.s 1 & 1S correctly "shows" lid 297 p.27 PARTS page correctly "shows" and lists a tank lid no 297 (without SRV) p.19 Heater/Stove No.711 PARTS page correctly "shows" and lists a tank lid with SRV. p.19 lists that as part no 299. p.18 the No.711 lid is a misprint. The same misprinted lid info is on p.44. No.184 & 711 should show same SRV lids (ie No.299). p.40 & p.42 there are 4 stoves, 3 of the lids shown ARE like Ian's & Bryan's (so that makes 2 drawings, of 2 slightly different lids with SRV). p.42 on mod 172 is a THIRD drawing of 3rd similar lid with SRV. "Maybe" all 3 are same PN 299? I've confirmed (NOT with catalogs) that ALL 3 of these SRV lids shown do exist. This is why I say "one day that [299] PN may become known." On the bright side there is also catalog confusion re 298C and 298D lids and I did get those sorted! thx omc
Part of the apparent confusion over precise specifications is caused, as so often, by the continued use of out date illustrations (c/f the Traveller spec. '1S' as presented at it's 'new pattern' launch in 1932 here Link and in gallery here Link ).
With this particular filler cap, ocassionally numbers can be found stamped on the underside of the SRV housing.
