Optimus 111 roarer from mid -late 1970s

This stove has had an interesting life. I bought it about three years ago from a man who had been a volunteer in a Scottish Mountain Rescue team, and also involved in Youth Adventure training.

I acquired this stove and an Optimus No.8R both of which he said regularly accompanied him in these activities.






























I cleaned up and refurbished both stoves but did no restoration on the cases, apart from giving them a coating of wax polish. They had a long working life and deserve a quiet retirement

The previous owner said that he had purchased this Optimus 111 new in 1978 from a supplier in Glasgow, but remerked that it had been on the shelf for some time before he raised the funds to buy it!

The features which identify this Op.111 as dating from around the mid to late 1970s are as follows:

1. Plain case with no embossing.
2. Self-adhesive Optimus label on RH lower corner of case, including model no. and fuel type.
3. Penta-head type SRV on the filler cap.
4. Red, plain pattern knob on regulator spindle.



Best Regards,
Kerophile.

 

very nice trusted old work horse. I do like the beer can tray

 

Which appears to be a recent addition.

A nice working example.

 

The 111 is an excellent, hardworking stove.

Cheers

Tony

 

Hi, I took a few additional shots to show the stove operating for this mid-morning tea break:













This traditional Optimus No.111 kero roarer is a powerful but controllable stove. As you can see, on full power it performs like a blowlamp.

Best Regards,
Kerophile.

 

Great photos there George, I can almost hear it.

 

WOW!!! First time i've seen a 111 fired up,thankyou. About 2 weeks ago i was checking out a new u beaut woodburner stove,then a Svea123 popped up,had a look,then checked a 123R then an R8 ,Optimus 1,and then...and then i was hooked!
I never realised these items existed,excuse my ignorance,but now i am determined to make up for this!!! Really like 111,8R,just discovered Primus 99,think actually i know i will start my education/J curve,with these 3 puppies. Along the way i was punching in model no's,and i arrived at CCS. WOW! You guys certainly know your Onions!!!
I have learnt so much in a short time
and the best part...Your answers are steeped in knowledge/honesty,thankyou for sharing it with a newbie like me,it has made such a difference. So know i know the 111 is kerosene.
R8, i will run on Shellite/naptha /since its a gasolene jobby. What would i run the 99 on?? Kero or Naptha variant?? Since it looks like a smaller version of R8,or is it the same size as 111,but under the Primus brand? and what is the difference of the metal stamped 111b? apart from it looking like its an earlier model of the stickered up bottom right cornered 111??
All the regulars here have so much knowledge,i have been trying to soak it up,so u guys know who you are,i'd just like to thankyou all so much for your advice for a little Aussie swear bear,who is still wet behind the ears!!
Kerophile,i replied to you cos i like your boat!!! It looks in top shape,well played. I bet she's a lot heavier than she looks,(please don't tell her i mentioned this..) I only said it cos your standing down aft,with an Outboard,and she's still sitting pretty. I used to do the Spanish Mackeral season's up in the barrier reef in Oz,in a Dory like yours, putt putt putt,a mother ship would tow u out,then it was 6 weeks of the craziest fishing you've ever seen. I can't believe you got paid for it,t was that much fun!!
Thanks again for all the great answer's and knowledge you're sharing,its made a big difference in such a short amount of time.

Murray Howe
Sydney Australia
(BREAD STEALER CENTRAL)

 

Welcome Murray.
The 111B uses same fuel as the 8R, 123, 123R, 99. The 1 uses kerosene/paraffin. If a 111 of any flavor has 4 tubes for the burner, it is capable of using both fuels, best with proper size jet for each fuel. Have fun.
Duane

 

Jesus ,that was quick.Thanks for that Duane. I love the brassy's,but those boxes look great for storage and transport. But definately going to get 00 a 96 i know they're the same,don't care, Optimus 1,2 saw a nice 4 the other day, definately a 5r and no doubt a 210.If the 210 is a Primus,what is the corresponding model No. In Optimus? Just curious.
An original SVEA 123,just not interested in the ones from Asia,hopefully a 123R and if the gods r smiling i hope to bag a SVEA106,and because of Handi Albert's posts/love of country,a Handi is going to be procurred as well!!! Is this normal behaviour??
I am presently hooked up worse than a silly bloody Tuna!!
It's 4.30am and i didn't bother going to sleep in case i missed a stove coming up. I might have a problem...
Hmmmmm..
Thanks very much for your input
Muz.

 

The 00 and 96 have different burners, look close. 210 and 00 are similar. A 1 is a good size, they get much bigger the next number or two up. I find the 00 and 210 are a nice sized stove, but many different sizes is a must to pacify the stove savage beast.
Duane

 

@Murray Howe

Welcome and G'day!

Yep, the stoves are something.

You will find the selections of stoves etc vary a bit around the globe. We here in Oz have more of some kinds and less of others. So you will wait forever for an Optimus 111B here, but are quite likely to snag an Antarctica labelled Optimus 111.

There are a few Aussie manufacturers- Handi being one you have mentioned, but Companion and others as well. They are all Svea- licensed copies done around the 1940s to roughly 1960s.

We didn't go in for the brand engineering so Optimus 99s can be found but not Primus 99s (well, not that I've seen). 99s are more common than 8Rs. Both are the same stove just different casing. Both run Shellite in this country. 99 and 8R are the same size, about 1/2 sized 111s.

Take your time, look around and see what is to be had. Brassies on ebay are usually around $100. The boxed stoves are generally more expensive. Garage sales of old campers are good. People listing stuff badly online. I got a 111 for a great price because the photo could have been an underwater brick. The description was "stove".

 

Thanks for that Scrambler and for the size differences,the photos are the closest i've got so far unfortunately !!! My lead thumbs are no match for a competitive ebay auction!!!! Soon....i hope my luck is going to change !! Till then my friend.
Murray

 

@Murray, find a free "snipe" service. Tell it the most you want to pay for the eBay item, and it will drop your bid at the last moment, no thumbs required. Chose a price that is as high as you would want to go. You might say you would be prepared to lose if the price went over $200. So bid $200 through the service. If the next best bid is $20, you will still get it for $21. If someone bids over $200 (say) you can be happy to lose.

Use the search to see what people have paid- select "sold" items.

Don't fall for the "auction" label. EBay is a tender where the second highest bid sets the price. Bid right, bid once. People making multiple bids usually lose. Even if you don't use a service, bid late (10s to 4s from the end) and put your highest price in.

 

Thanks for that advice mate.(Scrambler) i have a pentium1 head,when it comes to modern computers..(absolute dinosaur)
But hey... since last here i managed
to bag a Primus 71 and box!!!!!
Its one of the older boxes with the bull nose front,kinda,u know what i mean?
The outer casing has no visible "waist bulge' halway down,like some do,and pale grey in colour. The unit is brass with a rounded dome filler cap and single stainless spike on front. Purge valve?
So stoked to finally bag one !!!!
I missed out on 111 amd a 8r on the other auctions,so they will have to wait.
Whoo Hoo !! now i can grab some alcohol and shellite !!! Can't wait for this to arrive!! Time to get the hands dirty!!!

 

As an aside years ago, once in a while I'd take the Svea out of my kit and fire it up and make a coffee or tea just to watch it, and hear it sputter. Figured I must be an oddie.

Well, maybe I am strange, but the rise of internet forums has shown me that I am not the only one intrigued by these gems. LOL

 

G'day fettler!! Can't wait to be "odd" when the 71 arrives,i really can't!!
My first one! Funny you should say
"I used to take the Svea out of my kit" The last 72 hrs i have been looking at 123's. The orig. and their "r" cousins,so i think i'll get one of each,and do my own r&d from there. Some critics would say "thats just another pathetic excuse to buy another stove b4 the other one arrives" and yes i would have to agree with them.
Amen.
Take care Murray.