On my recent three week, 4800 mile trip thru Nevada, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota and onto relatives in Minnesota, then Iowa, Nebraska and into see the last of my aunts and uncles in Colorada, thru Utah, Nevada and back home to north eastern California, (whew) I was gifted a NIB 111C by a good stovie friend when I visited him for a brief 4.5 hours. I tried to not take it as I already had a nice, working "C" I explained, but he insisted. So now, I have two of these sorta rare stoves, different colors. Torn between selling the one with the repaired burner and keeping just the fresher one, or fire up the NIB one, then worry if it's burner will crack and need repair like the user. Crack may be the wrong reason, as when I had it soldered up, there was a slight leak around the central burner part, so really, nothing cracked. Sorry no pics, my old computer does not like the increasing number of websites I can no longer access. Working on something new(er). I've been really fortunate, acquiring 10 111's of all flavors, plus a few predecessors now. Sorry NW Lady. Duane
I don't buy NIB stoves because I can't bring myself to fire them up and they just take up space. If I were in your shoes I'd sell the NIB stove to someone who collects them and spend the proceeds on a nice Christmas gift for the friend that gave it to you. Ben
For some quaint reason, I like old NIB stoves as well! Ten Optimus 111's seems like a lot, but only because I have four. One NIB 111B, the rest used 111's. They are a lot of fun. Cheers Simon Foxxx New Zealand
Your friend considered you a fit and proper guardian for it so, in your place, I wouldn't be able to sell it. I'd count my blessings I already had a user so I know what it could do if one day lighting it became required. That day might come - it will be your call. My NIB 123R is kept on this principle - except I have no equivalent user. If a user ever comes my way that will be great. Meanwhile the 123R remains as is but one day that might have to change. Thoughts on this forum make me think it has better zen kept like that for now. In the opposite way I was given an old but unfired Monitor 17B. I lit it by mistake before realising that it had never been fired. The lacquer burning off the bell gave a clue. Oh well - that one is still in very nice condition so I won't use it regularly. But it won't worry me to light it again if the need arises. The patina it has gathered means it has all the zen required.
I can't sell the NIB one, that would be wrong. If anything, sell the other and start using the new one. I'll hang on to it for now, other used stoves that I got cheap from or gifted by a friend, I traded for another stove if it was a duplicate. I had a 111B with the sticker which I traded for a Kamplite inverted lantern. I had just picked up a nice embossed case "B", so have two "B"s now, both embossed differently. I have a hard time firing up new stoves, but the aluminum cased 8R I found, I had to get it going. I have a few shelf queens, but then I have a user usually too. I guess the only 111 I don't have is that new one that is black and green, I prefer old. Duane
Traded a Primus stickered 111B for a Kamplite lantern!? Sounds like you got hornswoggled! Anyhoo, I know of a nice rural location where a repaired 111C would enjoy wide open spaces and rugged mountains!
Hay Andy, but it needs to be used, not laying around on some pile of horse hay. The inverted works very nicely, thank you. Duane
@Billyboy - I agree, and if I hadn't lit it how would I know that my fixes on the broken pump leather and the hard NRV pip were any good? It had sat in it's tin for about 40years by my guess - sadly no box. Seller claimed it worked - evidence says he can never have tried it.
I'm thinking that "safe queens" must come from firearms discussions. Can't think of a stove I'd keep in a safe.....
You probably don't have an alarm system either. If your stoves turn up missing don't look at me...nothing to see here . Ben
