I just got an Opti made (post '72?) 123 for my 40th birthday, w/ the horiz. regulator assmbly. First thing that caught my attention was the jet was a full 5 to 7 mm wide at the crown, as compared to the pressuse stove sized jet my old Svea (down turned reg assmbly) has. The "rack" cleaning needle assmbly was about an inch or more long w/ the "rack" part at the bottom w/ an extention of some sort for the cleaning needle, looks like the Sealte space needle almost. and the regulator body is ALOT stouter than I remember by comparison to my 2002 model. Let alone compared to my old one it's sitting next to. Any one have any clue if Opti over built this for a cple years and dialed back after a while?
Hey, Hobo, Good to hear from you! I figure you know the fact that the earlier 123's had no internal cleaning needle, right? Those vapourizers were very thin, compared to the 123R vapourizers, which sound like what you're describing. All 123R's that I've seen, and all that I have, are thick, like you described. All regular 123's, without the cleaning needle, are thinner. Hope that's what you were seeking. Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Yo, HOBO ! ! How ya doin' buddy? What Doc said. I've seen several minor variations on the 123 theme over the years, more or fewer fins on the riser, longer and shorter valve spindle stems, different flame spreaders, (I saw a three legged one once.) that sort of thing. I don't read much into them as I'm of the opinion that they're only minor manufacturing variations and mean very little as long as critical specifications are met. Give Grunt a pat or two and tummy scratch from Ozzy and me. Gerry
I now have three of the Svea 123, both models included, but none of them look as nice as Trevors, lol. Ed
Nobody's look as nice as Trevor's, the only stovie who leaves no fingerprints as they have been removed by regular assaults of Brasso
will do, Thug. Grunt does know he's loved by..well most that meet him. LOL how's the M1950s runnin? Good I hope? The 123 I got from you hasn't failed me single day. The big Q I had bout the newer (stout) one was the cleaning needle, the one I bought new in 2002 had a, what 1/2" "rack w/ the cleaning needle coming out of it directly, this one has what looks like a 1/2" to 1/3" extension from the rack to the needle, just never seen one that long before. Made me curious as to when Optimus changed the design.
Hi Hobo, The first 123R I ever saw, back in the '70s, had the extension on the rack like you describe. I've never seen another one like it. I figure they must have just made those for a short time before going to a shorter rack. ....Arch
tah's what I figged, just had to check. Something else I noted, I cld almost swear the Opti made one has thinner brass; it primes FAST! At least as compared to the Svea orig 123. This IS w/ denate alchohol tho. Guess it wld be 6 of one, 1/2 a dozon of the other w/ coleman fuel for priming, yeah?
Trevor, Nice photos I can clearly see the difference between the 2 stoves. It appears you have two virgin unfired Sveas, nice find. Ron
Hi Ron The 123R on the right is mint and a very late model. However, the 123 on the left is not mint at all. I bought it 'new-old-stock' in 1972 and used it on lightweight camps periodically over the next 25 years when I finally gave up lightweight camping. I always used to keep it clean. I occasionally light it now, such as this which was in David Shouksmith's kitchen. After use such as this, I then clean it so it looks as good as the day it was made.
The only real differance between the two stoves Trevor has pic's of, is that one is fettered to modern man. IE.. warning lable that thngs get hot and burn other things. Well duhhhh. iI's a stove, dummy. lance
