This week I received a Svea 123 in a closed box. No idea which model would be in here, and even when asked on CCS if the numbers on the label meant anything, no clue or pointer came forward. With some anticipation I have opened the box by cutting through the label, freeing the top flaps of the carton box. Aware I was to touch an object put in there perhaps 55 years earlier, I just got the stove out and be done with it: I wanted to know which model it would be! And yesssss, it was the version with plenty of SVEA markings on burner bell, key, pothandle and the fold-out Sievert pricker, supposedly the very first version. The 'guarantee' label has a number on it printed, suggesting a documented production. There is no (expected) booklet or folder found with this stove, but there is a (unexpected) pin on which one can park the key: nifty! The tank has a 'modern' release valve in the fillercap, and with that dispenses with the lore of a 75-year-or-so-old design. It is my guess the sheet with instructions were soon included, but in all a very nice find that will stay in this condition as far as I am concerned.
Excellant, what a find. It would be a shame to fire this one up, that's for sure. I have one of these with the engraved wind shield, but there is no pin for the key. I think yours must be an earlier version, as the pin never re appeared on these stoves.
Hi dutchmike that is a real gem of a stove you have there areal beauty i am so glad you have decided to open up the box and take her out if it was mine i dont know if i would fire it up or not one like that with a sealed box 100% complete i dont think i would many thanks for taking it out of the box and shareing it with us all
What a nice stove that is!!! About 3 years ago I payed for a Svea (or was it Optimus) 123 stove and I still havent got it so I still havent had the opportunity to use a stove like this (except for my brothers Juwel stove that works in the same way almost). Anders
4 PM on November 26, 1922, Howard Carter broke through into Tutankhamun's tomb and made one of the 20th century's most amazing discoveries. 05-09-10 06:29 PM - Post#172803 - Dutchmike did something similar, with a stove. Hey, good on you Mike for posting that reveal on CCS and a neat build-up of tension here earlier in the week to tell us all would be revealed, here and now! John
Lovely stove with all the engravings. Keep it unfired and just find or if you own one that is a user. They all are the same and having it unfired and if you decide to sell it would definitely fetch a good price (after 50 years or so). Thanks for sharing. Ron
Congratulations Mike! Perfection and beauty stored for all those years. Wow! All the best to you, sam
Tasting the forbidden fruit of knowledge. Where is your faith that what was contained within was pristine and unspoiled. All that said, congratz of a wonderful find. Thanks for sharing the dissection. AR
Wow! Such a beauty! Fresh as the day she left the factory! This is the finest example of a Svea 123 I've yet seen, quite possibly from the first or a very early production run. You've got quite a stove there!! HJ
Hello All, Thank you for your reactions and kind comments. This 'breaking in' into a sort of time capsule to me was an obvious thing I wanted to share, especially with so many like-minded guys in reach through CCS. With some conclusions to be made - like, appearantly, there was no instruction sheet inside : was the world more innocent, or more capable? - it is now waiting for a next closed box to appear and opened. And, despite some understandable speculation, no outrageous bidding ensued these last days. Not even one measly bid. So I think we are back down to earth, and perhaps will go to the Gallery to take just a peek once in a while.. Kind regards, Mike
Hi Dutchmike Just caught up with this post. I have a 123 with same label which I bought new many years ago. I would therefore date it about mid 1960s - unless someone can date it more accurately.
Congratulations!! That's a beauty!!! To fire or not to fire, THAT is the question. Classic!! What a marvel of simplicity and utility as well. Mike
There are differing views from antique experts in relation to use. Generally, an antique item is not devalued because it is used and may actually increase in value if some use is shown. Generally, antiques should be used and use preserves them in a useable state. This stove was built to be used after all. However, because of this one's rarity (a very early stove and in a new box), there will not be many these unused, so I think it would be best not to use it in this instance. However, giving it a blatt won't devalue it. Probably more important than using it is not to mess with it's finish, i.e., do not polish it up under any circumstances. Leave it in its factory-finished state. If it has already been polished, well, then you may as well fire it up.
