Hi fellow stovies There's been a lot of discussion concerning Optimus 00's lately. None of my examples is really pertinent to those ongoing historical explorations. But, I have 00 that I'm fond of and would like to share. I'm not sure that this is the best forum for posting this one. I thought of the SRG (Stove Reference Gallery), but it's really not an illustrative example of it's type because it's clearly had a too-interesting life. Ross and mods, feel free to do with it as you wish. It's been polished almost to the point of removing the tank top engraving. And the filler cap appears to be either a home-made cap or a very abused original/replacement. A solder repair at the filler tube and another that joins what appears to be a homemade riser to the tank. The spirit cup is steel thinly plated with brass. Just remnants of the plating, now. The bottom leg-mounts have more solder repairs. You can see the stamped "L" on the bottom. This pump knob looks to me like it's from a 2-pint fixed leg stove. And, both strangest and most interesting of all, it sports an Itati burner. Itati is an Argentine company that made, among other things, roarer burners and, possibly, stoves. It has a brass pump shaft. None of my other 00's do. This stove came from a seller in Portland, Oregon, USA. Since Portland is, not surprisingly, a seaport, one could imagine that this little stove somehow made it's way here from the Southern Hemisphere. Someone(s) loved it enough to expend a lot of energy and cleverness to keep it running. Who knows what stories it could tell? Cheers, Gary
what a story it could tell..as i was working my way down thru the photos that was the first thing that came to mind..
I agree, Dave. After I posted these I figured out that I hadn't ever lit it up. Quick check on the NRV, good as it sits. Replaced the pump leather with an excellent Sefa cup. Grabbed a flame ring off another stove. Fueled it up and voila! It works. Pretty nice, too. Just for the record. Cheers, Gary
and a nice cherry red that we all like so much.and i'm not surprised it fired right up,who ever made the repairs did not make a hack job of it but knew what they were doing,and not a hobby job but they really needed a working stove.
great post and pics Gary. looks like it was soldered by a good old plumber/fitter. if it had an odometer it would be "spun over" as the used car salesmen say!
