I’d place this as a prime example of a stove in a condition I favour, not over-restored, complete, wearing its age gracefully and performing as well as when new. Though 90-odd years old, there are substantial amounts of the original protective lacquer remaining on the stove tank, the gleam of un-tarnished brass visible as when first purchased. Speaking of when it was purchased, the retailer’s mark of 14 shillings and 9 pence (UK pre-decimalisation) on the base of the stove tin corresponds exactly with the selling price featured in Primus catalogue No.351 of 1934 (Stove Reference Library, HERE) In protecting the stove, the tin has shouldered the consequences of storage in non-archival (!) conditions … … yet the lovely depiction of a contemporary Primus No.521 is largely unscathed. The meths tin is sound, with no rust holes. The instruction sheet has mopped up decades of fuel seepage through the not-so-effective keeper cap seal and the years of dust and grime embedding in the card have taken their toll. Videos with sound of the stove in action to follow, but what I can’t convey is the glorious (to my nostrils!) smell of the paperwork - a smell of vintage paraffin and machine oil not readily bottled and ‘laid down’ as good wine would be. The print date is of course consistent with the age of the stove. John
I’ll replace the seal if I want to travel with the stove, fuel in the tank. It’s another plus, to have the keeper cap still, so easily dropped and lost in grass. A replacement would have to be a modern reproduction or Optimus equivalent (Base Camp) without the ‘Primus Sweden’ stamp. The post-1935 burner attachment, male taper thread, and resulting chain tether to the air screw was an improvement in that sense. (1937, Primus 210 Sport)
The fitting of the 1933 burner to stove tank. The gleam of the intact-lacquered areas of the tank is apparent here too.
@presscall Fantastic pictures John, i must admit i do like the patina on this stove, to be honest there are a few stoves i have wish i had left the original patina but some stoves look better with a natural patina, and some restored back to a polished finish look better, or some times it depends on what type of patina the stove has. On another note John the price in old money 14 shillings and nine pence, would i be correct that is 79P in todays money
Lovely condition. Well preserved enough to convey what a bright and glossy outfit the stove and tin would have been when new, and enough wear and tear through time to build character and to ensure there would be no guilt packing it in a rucksack and taking it out on a damp day on the hills to do the job it was made for.
Close, Brian. 74p. 15/- would be 3/4 of a £ then, and 3/4 of a £ now is 75p. The value of 14/9 in 1933 converts to £68 today, which is excellent value for a quality stove. Exactly my thoughts Chris, with just a slight niggle of fumbling the keeper cap removing/replacing it and losing it.
I understand a little of the pre decimalisation as i was just a toddler when the change over, i remember the shilling being and two shilling still in circulation being used for 5p and 10p well after the change over
WoW, interesting I have the same one 1933 , it come from Peru with some differences. It was in bad shape when I got it and the restoration has been done in 2019. So the platima is 6 years old. See the difference by yourself.
Anticipating packing the stove for a hike, I replaced the keeper cap seal. Not before time. A fragment of the old seal, now hard and brittle, is alongside the cap with a nitrile disc installed. Fuel in the tank and air screw closed, I kept the stove tank in the tin on a hot day to see if fuel expansion, slightly pressurising the tank, would force fuel up the internal pickup tube and past the cap seal. No seepage occurred. Result!
sympathetic restoration of what is undeniably a swedish classic. although i have down-sized my collection, i made sure to keep a 210. your post proved i made the right choice. frank daniel
An interesting thought John- roughly the price of a basic Trangia outfit today. One difference between then and now is the amount of disposable income available to many, but I believe some value of money vs. time calculators take this into account.
A question of priorities I suppose. A keen camper/hiker/cyclist who couldn’t afford a car or luxury goods would consider a stove essential and a prized possession.
A lovely example. You have to love a 210. I’m certain that it was the type of stove that first attracted me to the classic pressure stove. Very late 80s into the very early 90s as a Venture Scout in Totnes, Devon. We carried the things everywhere.
Not being one to suffer from "stove envy" to any great degree, I did look at @presscall 's stove with more than a little admiration, but no great desire to own one. Then last weekend I spotted a fleabay listing for a similar model, which was said to date from 1927. I left it on watch and then received a reasonable offer, which I countered with something less reasonable, and I ended up buying it! Turns out to be V dated, so 1931, but who is counting - it's still 94 years old. Came in a nice tin and with all accessories, including a wholesome (rather than hole-some) spirit can which still has paint on it! Doesn't have the instructions though, so I shall never find out if it works properly!! The varnished surface of the fount had deteriorated, leaving thick black crusts in places, like hard candle wax as though paraffin has got under it and pushed it downwards. I gave it a gentle wash and a leak test. It leaked, so that's a pass then. One new washer on the filler cap later and a charge of paraffin and the beast awoke. Inside 50 minutes of receipt, it boiled my kettle. Boy, does that kick out some heat! I shall do a gallery report with pictures and maybe a rusty but running when I get a bit more time but just want to assure John, that when it comes down to it, you have no competition here, but it is a lovely stove and tin, nonetheless (by my standards, anyway). Dean Dean
