A friend found this at an estate sale, along with its matching lantern (Prepo 400). I got a phone call with a sketchy connection. “I found this cool old stove. Do you want me to buy it for you?” Only after I hung up did I realize he hadn't mentioned a price. Luckily, I needn't have worried. The fuel is from Prepo's proprietary butane canisters. I didn't get any of those, but two empty OEM canisters of the correct size were attached to the appliances. Here's the stove sitting atop a Coleman 413G, to show its size. And a flame shot. I'm using a modern MSR cartridge and an adapter. I haven't seen any date codes on either stove or lantern, but I received them in their original (opened) packing boxes, with instructions and other information for the lantern, though not for the stove. There are also advertising brochures for a Prepo model 600 blowtorch included in both boxes. (I can post images of this material, if anyone is interested.) From the information on these items, it's possible to narrow down the production date. Going from the widest range down to more specific: The boxes state: “Packed and shipped in compliance with ICC regulations.” The ICC (Interstate Commerce Commission) was established in 1887, and was replaced by the Department of Transportation (DOT) in 1995.* The address on the boxes is “Edgerton, Wis”, with 3-letter state abbreviation and no zip code. Postal Zip codes were introduced in July, 1963, and standardized 2-letter state abbreviations in October of the same year. US patent no. 2,683,484 “Portable Blowtorch and the Like” (on the stove box) was granted in July 1954. US patent no. 2,744,809 “Fuel Systems for Light Portable Gas Combustion Burners” (on the lantern box) was granted in 1956. This seems to have been mostly for the fuel cans. There was also a patent infringement suit, Prepo vs. Pressure Can Corporation, June 1956. This may account for the repeated admonitions to use ONLY Prepo brand fuel, and warnings that other brands may cause damage, and result in “additional charges” for any repairs. From this information, I think the stove and lantern date from between the mid-1950s ('54 to '56) to the first half of 1963. There is another bit of information that may allow the date range to be refined. The torch advert/brochure gives the company location as “Skokie, Ill”, but is overprinted to “Edgerton, Wis”. Knowing when the company moved from Illinois to Wisconsin might narrow the date range a bit. The stove was surprisingly difficult to start, initially, and the flame seemed weak. I thought it might be suffering from a Coleman-like spider in the manifold problem, but disassembly showed otherwise. I then took the generator apart and used butane to blow any crud out. No crud, but I was able to prick the jet with an E string. Problem disappeared. It seems only right to include some shots of my assistant during this refurbish and photo shoot. He was rewarded with some cat kibble. ….Arch _________________________ *For the benefit of non-US residents and youngsters out there, this information will provide insight into the lyric, “ICC is a checkin' on down the line”, in the country truckin' anthem, “Six Days on the Road”.
Morning, Arch, (@ArchMc ), Great little stove, and some excellent detective work, Good Sir! Excellent photos, too. I've not seen one of these stove before, but seems there were others similar to this, back in those days. Love the dispute between Prepo and Pressure Can Corps! Stoves and intrigue: A great combination!! Do you think your "Assistant" is a spy for Prepo, making sure you're toeing the line??!? By the way, what sort of bird is that? I thought it was a Roadrunner, at first, but not totally sure. Thanks for sharing, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Mark
It is a roadrunner. I wouldn’t be surprised if he works for Prepo — those birds are quick to spot an opportunity. Mrs. Mac feeds them, and they (correctly) assume that I will too, if they’re persistent enough. They occasionally tap on the windows, but usually just sit outside watching . . . watching. I don’t mind the food bribes — it means at least a few lizards will survive to adulthood. This is the season when they’re feeding babies, actually the season when the youngsters have started following the parents to get fed at the source. ....Arch
Arch - thanks for the great photos and write-up. I recently bought a Insta-lite LPA-15 lantern. And while fettling it, I found that it has the same odd generator shape. There are a number of companies associated with this lantern. Terry Marsh says it was made by the Insta-Lite Co., Edgerton, Wisconsin. And some stoves with the name Insta-Lite were made by the Metalcraft Mfg. Corp., a Division of Knapp-Monarch Co., St. Louis, Missouri. I've been search for, but have not found a patent for this lantern or the odd generator. Kevin
