The designation 51SE is drawn from Kerophile's 1929 Primus, France, catalogue, where it is described (page 2) as a 'special model on cast pedestal' (my rough translation). Specifically, it's a Primus 51 sold with a blue enamelled cast iron stand George's catalogue Here's the stove and the stand That model of stove was an economy version, with a Primus 210 sized pump diameter and a roarer burner without the usual separate riser tube or hexagonal mounting flats to take a spanner (wrench). It meant hand-tightening it, though the stove was intended for the kitchen and not as a camping stove to be packed away, so once assembled it could stay that way. The spirit cup too was a different arrangement because of the lack of a separate riser tube Back to the enamelled stand, which has some beautiful detailing - Primus, obviously - marque deposee (registered trademark) - modelle brevette (patented design) Eight countersunk headed machine screws, nuts and washers and a clever arrangement of lugs and cast ridges makes for a solid assembly Stand reassembled, I prime the burner 'Economy' model maybe, but it fires up beautifully I couldn't resist setting up a shot on a French theme in blue, courtesy Primus, and that's a British Sirram kettle on the Bleuet My stove's the single, roarer, version of Redspeedster's double silent burner stove with a green enamel stand Gary's stove John
Hi John, What a lovely stove and a great photo presentation. The stove is really interesting as I have never seen a spirit-cup fitting like that one before. The stand is beautiful and very well designed and made. The French were very good at cast-iron and enamel work. They were able to work to high tolerances with thin sections. They must have had high fluidity of the molten iron to get such fine castings. I am not sure that we could reproduce this work nowadays. Thanks for sharing your new stove outfit. Best Regards, Kerophile.
Ah, but you have George. Granted, it's some time ago now, but you commented on this Ref Gallery example from 'Bazumph' Pri 51 Your comments about the cash-strapped times that prompted the introduction of 'economy' models brought history to life for me on reading that when I was researching the model. It's often not big world events, but what's happening at an individual, household level with mundane artifacts like stoves that offers that perspective. Interesting that even though the purchaser was offered the option to save the pennies (well, French Francs) on the 'economy' stove component of the outfit, the stove stand itself was surely a luxury and a step too far to resist. Fascinating social history bound up with stoves, as you've often said, George. All the best, John
Love the one piece riser/burner. If that mated pair ever leaks its because something has gone catastrophically wrong. What a beauty, AR
Thank you for sharing, John. These pictures should find their way not only to the Gallery, but some glossy as well. A joy to look at, well done! Regards, Mike P.S. Where did you find this french 'babelle'?
Thanks for your kind comments Mike on the photo effort. I wish I had as grand a tale to tell as Gary (Redspeedsder) had with his marvellous find and the determination he demonstrated when on holiday in France ... Gallic treasure trove Alas, nothing more enterprising on my part than trawling ebay France for 'rechauds'. There wasn't a lot of bidding interest in the stove so I got it for the equivalent of 37 pounds Sterling, but it was another £30 to ship it to the UK. I'm happy with that, given the prices people are paying for the stoves attracting top dollar at the moment - Optimus 199, Brit Military No. 12 spring to mind. John
Hey John Great stove and a fine set of photos. I have seen quite a few doubles, but I think this is the first single I've seen. Absolutely wonderful.
With all the french scribbling on it, was it made locally? A french thing? I have approved this stove and will bless it's many fireings in the future
Yes, Henrik, Primus must have had a factory in France turning these out, or sub-contracted to one that did under licence. The French seem to have had a fondness for enamelled stove ranges and stands, so it was cashing in on that preference. Food and brews taste better already! Thanks Henrik. John
Looking at the stove stand ... ... I took the pan ring off and got to thinking again about the purpose of those three lugs around the top rim These lugs It was a Doh!! moment as I realised that a fixed-leg stove fitted like a glove. Here I used my Primus No.10 The stand's cast iron pot ring fitted fine ... ... but so did the stove's own steel one That mystery out of the way, I set about using the powerful No.10 on a fruit-boiling project Stove and stand in use John
