British Military No.12 (2005) & ‘upgrades’

British Military No.12 paraffin/diesel stove (manufactured by Tools of Coventry (TOC) in 2005).

Stainless steel and brass construction.

The No.12, in original guise…showing off its distinctive ‘lotus flower’ roarer flame.



Lid stamping.



And here, the No.12 with a few ‘upgrades’…



A Schrader valve/combined filler cap fitted in place of the original filler cap - so much easier to pressurise this large tank, either with my cycle pump or cordless tyre pressure inflator.



A useful (0.3 MPa) pressure gauge replaces the original pump.



The grate has been upgraded to one which allows more efficient heat transfer to pots/pans etc.



I have a BD silent cap for this stove, but the one I am using here is a large ‘handmade’ 4-row brass cap from SMS Industries which has cut-outs on its base, allowing the cap to utilise the burner’s existing locking tabs (used to secure the stove’s original roarer flame plate). The silent cap’s extended spigot is located into the burner, then the cap is simply rotated clockwise to lock it in place.









This is an excellent cap which allows a very low simmer (as is Bernie Dawg’s cap, which also has great simmer capability) on the No.12’s regulated burner.

A brass windshield has been fitted.



A copy of the original instruction plate in aluminium, is mounted as shown, on the inside of the lid - thus completing the ‘upgrade’.



Naturally, all the removed original stove parts have been kept with the No.12.

A Czech army surplus M85 gas mask bag provides a snug protective soft case for the no.12 (which incidentally also fits a No.2 Mk.2 and Geniol) - great tip from Bernie Dawg.







Pharael.

 

Nice upgrades.
Tim

 

@Tim Read

Thank you! The Czech gas mask bag is strong enough to carry the No.12 with the canvas handle without any worries.

Pharael.

 

Bernie Dawg’s (Gary Adams) iconic No.12 ‘TopDawg’ silent cap.

 

@Pharael , first one has to get one's No 12

 

Hi Guy's I have just aquired a No12 and would like to fit the silent burner and pressure gauge.
Does anyone know of the contact information or re-sellers that can supply SMS No12 components.
Regards Mike

 

Hi @Mekanic

Their seller id on ebay is smsindustries.


-R

 

Many thanks for your rapid responce, will check them out.
Mike

 

Is it made in the US?
one of the guys on you tube says they are made in the UK

 

Superb example @Pharael im currently working on a no12 with the help of @presscall . You have some great upgrades... gives me ideas.

Mick

 

@mickeytee - very kind, thank you.

Pharael.

 

I think they are in London. I have the same cap for the No. 12.


-R

 

Have tried tinternet for a couple of days but can't find
one anyware.
Thanks Mike

 

@Mekanic - It unfortunately appears that smsindustries are not selling either OE or aftersales parts for the No.12, and haven’t been since 2025.

Pharael.

 

I had enquired with with the guy on ebay and he said he doesn't have one. Have ordered an 1 1/2"
copper blank, and will see if i can knock one up.
Cheer's M8

 

Copper generates a lot of black oxide scale and mightn’t cope with the temperature a cap reaches. Brass or steel is the way to go.

On your theme @Pharael, my mod to a No.12 was prompted by acquiring an incomplete stove, without its burner.

A spare Optimus regulated silent burner was the obvious candidate, coupled with with an extra-wide spirit cup to make getting priming fluid into the cup that bit easier.

I fabricated an inlet pipe to suit the required angles/dimensions.







John

 

Thanks for that John, I did have my doubts about copper. Will try and find an optimus burner assembly.
Many thanks for your input
Mike

 

@presscall - That is impressive John.

Phil.

 

For anyone looking for silent burner there is a seller in China that has 2, i have just bought one.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/15777132...ed%2FGeneric&_trksid=p4375194.c102727.m162921
Regards Mike