Hey all -- I have a nice Optimus 8R I have no idea how old, but not very I am sure. Standard blue case with the round Optimus sticker on it. It runs well on white gas (says petrol) A freind of mine has one that says gasoline. How can I date these, and did optimus make these as multi fuel?
Hey, Scouteron, I have never seen an Optimus 8, or 8R, that was setup for multifuel useage. All that I own, and all that I have seen, run on white gas, or Coleman fuel. They work perfectly on that, and will not burn kerosene, or any other less refined fuel. As to dating the different 8 and 8R models, I would suggest that you check "Optimus" in the catalogs and parts section. Then, peruse all the different catalogs, from all the different years. By doing this, you can narrow things down a bit, when you see other stoves that are most like yours. I hope this suggestion will help you, and congrats on getting a nice Optimus 8, or 8R. By the way, the "8" does not have an internal cleaning needle, while the "8R" does. Have fun with your research! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc Mark
I think that the round stickers were introduced in the early sixties although they may be slightly older. Up until about 1962 the cases had the lettering embossed on them. In 1962 Optimus acquired the Primus brand name for liquid fueled stoves and dropped the embossing so the same stove could be sold as a Primus as well as an Optimus stove. However the embossed cases would be used until they finished and then they would have changed to the plain case. Another indication of age is the tank lid. The original ones had a slot across the top. This continued until at least 1960 but more probably until 1962. They then had a hexagonal top with a square holed adjuster in the middle. They now have a hexagonal top with a five sided socket in the top. I cannot give the dates of the change of tank lids but that is the order that the ones that I know about. It is almost impossible to accurately date Optimus stoves. You sometimes can find when the model started and was superceded but even that is seldom possible. It is not helped by the pictures on the advertising material as they often used the pictures of the old model when announcing a replacement. The advertisement for the introduction of the 111 in 1952 actually shows an 11 which it was replacing. The first 8Rs were sold as 8s in cases marked 8. I think the designation changed when the cases ran out. Despite not needing exrternal cleaning needles these hybrid 8Rs were advertised as having three cleaning needles because they forgot to change the wording on the advert
Morning, Bryan, What a great bit of information! Thanks for sharing that with us. I am constantly amazed at the depth of knowledge on this forum, and really appreciate all the info that is presented and shared here. Thanks, again, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc Mark
Wow I read your note and looked at the stove - which looks like it has only been lit once or twice. The lid is embossed with scripted Optimus and then 8R. the tank is nickel plated and has the slotted lid. It has the red round plastic knob on flame control, not the music box key the real old ones have Also the case is a heavier gauge than one my freind owns(no embossed lid, retangular sticker, brass tank, and a 4 sided socket but still with the plastic knob and not the new key). thanks for the great information i tnarrows the time frame down some
