Help dating Optimus N° 5

Discussion in 'Optimus No:5 (inc. S & J)' started by Juliet, Oct 5, 2016.

  1. Juliet

    Offline
    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2016
    Messages:
    6
    Hi there!

    I found this Optimus in a pile of rubbish someone was getting rid of. I can't find any number to help dating it. On the top you can see Optimus N°5 on one side, and an inscription on the other side that states in 5 languages (including Arabic at the bottom) "sole makers of the genuine <Optimus> apparatus" with a globe on each side

    The bottom only states made in Sweden,

    Here are some photos

    IMG_20161005_122351.jpg

    IMG_20161005_124746.jpg

    IMG_20161005_125029.jpg

    IMG_20161005_125112.jpg

    IMG_20161005_125130.jpg

    IMG_20161005_124900.jpg


    Thank you!!
     
  2. shagratork

    shagratork United Kingdom Moderator, R.I.P. Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2005
    Messages:
    9,633
    Location:
    Durham, N.E. England
    The stamping on the bottom of the tank suggests that your stove was made in the 1970s/80s.
     
  3. Juliet

    Offline
    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2016
    Messages:
    6
    Thank you shagratork,
    Was totally clueless about it because there is no letter coding referring to a specific period.
    Guess I understand now why it was in a pile of unwanted items instead of a specialised auction site
    Thanks for your help!
     
  4. Tony Press

    Tony Press Australia Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2013
    Messages:
    10,858
    Location:
    Stinkpot Bay, Howden, Tasmania, Australia
    @Juliet

    It's still a mighty fine stove and virtually foolproof.

    Cheers

    Tony
     
  5. shagratork

    shagratork United Kingdom Moderator, R.I.P. Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2005
    Messages:
    9,633
    Location:
    Durham, N.E. England
    The late Optimus No. 5 stoves are a very good and reliable stove.
    It looks like yours is missing the silent burner outer burner cap.
    Suitable caps can be obtained from eBay, such as this or this.
     
  6. Juliet

    Offline
    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2016
    Messages:
    6
    Awwwwwww, thank you guys!
    Really like this community, has got a lovely spirit
    Never seen one of these before to be honest so I was really keen to find out more about it
    Cheers,
    J.
     
  7. shagratork

    shagratork United Kingdom Moderator, R.I.P. Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2005
    Messages:
    9,633
    Location:
    Durham, N.E. England
    Hi @Juliet
    Welcome to CCS.
    If you require any more information about about how to fettle (fix) your stove, then just ask and you will get lots of help.

    Kind regards,
    Trevor
     
  8. Juliet

    Offline
    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2016
    Messages:
    6
    Thank you Trevor!
    How incredibly kind of you
    Might see me around soon again
    All the best,
    Juliet x
     
  9. kaw550red

    kaw550red RIP

    Offline
    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2004
    Messages:
    2,350
    Hi Juliet

    I think the bottom tank marking started in 1969 when Optimus bought the Svea brand name for liquid fueled stoves.

    At the time they were making Optimus, Primus and Svea stoves. With that tank marking the same tank bottom could be used on all three makes

    Regards Bryan
     
  10. Juliet

    Offline
    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2016
    Messages:
    6
    How interesting!
    Thank you Bryan!!
     
  11. kaw550red

    kaw550red RIP

    Offline
    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2004
    Messages:
    2,350
    Hi Juliet

    What does the lettering on the burner say? It can also give an indication of age if it is original

    Regards Bryan
     
  12. kaw550red

    kaw550red RIP

    Offline
    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2004
    Messages:
    2,350
  13. Juliet

    Offline
    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2016
    Messages:
    6
    What am amazing article Bryan! You are a well of knowledge!!
    It must be post 1969, as the stamp fits your description
    The burner says MADE IN SWEDEN, and again has got the inscription in Arabic
    It does really make sense that the inscriptions became more and more generic as they took over the different brands
    Thank you all again for your help!
    All the best,
    Juliet
     
  14. Radler

    Offline
    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2013
    Messages:
    442
    Arabic? I see English, French, Spanish and another language, not a latin alphabet, but no Arabic letters too.

    Regards
    Radler
     
  15. OMC

    OMC United States Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2013
    Messages:
    5,761
    Location:
    ILLINOIS, USA
    BUMP
    Above is an Optimus No.5 (no superscript)
    much has been learned since 2016 that can, as in title, "Help dating No.5"
    In-particular, another look at the, later OPTIMUS No.5s (&1s), with "made in sweden" bottom stamping.
    No.5 in OP looks like a match to @Stanisław Grajewski 's beautiful virgin Optimus No 5 ( unused, late production ) he just posted. An excellent reference, thank you. Stan FYI re your "The stamp on the top of flame spreader suggests period after 1962" Yes. Additionally, the next comment estimates your year range to "1967 (or earlier) -to- 1981"

    re above "The stamping on the bottom of the tank suggests that your stove was made in the 1970s/80s"
    maybe so but an update to that would be:
    > bottom stamping indicates stove made "by 1967. could be earlier (/later)
    > 1975 Optimus Traditional Products Program catalog might indicate details match thru 1975
    > tank details indicate stove not made after 81 (changes made by 82).

    A very helpful on-topic Ref Post: Optimus No:5 1967 , that's right, a hard-dated 1967 No5 (we presume No.1 is same) bottom stamped Made in Sweden

    [[aside: I dunno what year, for Optimus stoves, the made in sweden on bottom began? For 1963-66 Optimus stoves (not Optimus-made Primus), unclear "to me" what that bottom stamp was (63-66 there was no "need" to change the (Uppl Vasby) bottom stamping on the "Optimus" stoves).]]

    PS A site search found this "Help.." thread for me. OOPS, sorry. I just now notice it is in the Reference Gallery. 2800 views
     
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2025