The seller of this complete 'Aristocrat' set had been displaying it on his market stall for some time. Initially the asking price was £40.00 and he has been steadily reducing the price each week. On Tuesday, he wanted £20.00 and I got it for £15.00 . The set shown below comprises (as listed in the instructions with David Shouksmith's set): Stand Pot Pot lid Burner Burner lid Spirit container Flame regulator It came in an unmarked leather box with a blue fabric lining. This is definitely original as a set was offered for sale on Ebay in 2013 with an identical box. The box is very tatty and mouldy. The top is beyond salvation, but I aim to re-line the box, restore the leather and make some sort of replacement lid: The stand has a raised circle in the base to keep the burner central: The pot is copper with a tin lining and the base shows it has had plenty of use. The handles are wrapped in cane and have suffered some scorching damage. The lid identifies the set as 'The Aristocrat No12 1½ Pints'. A set on Ebay had a lid that was marked 'The Aristocrat No11 1 Pint'. David's instructions showed that there were three versions in two sizes - The Democrat (Tin Plate), The Citizen (Aluminium) and The Aristocrat (Copper): The burner is brass and has a depression that matches the bump in the base of the stand. The base is tin and has a number of rust holes. However, the base is crimped in place and is impossible to replace. I sealed the base with a smear of high temperature ceramic caulking. The burner is stamped '1'. An identical burner in another incomplete Aristocrat set that I have is marked '2'. David's is marked '1½'. Go figure: End of part one.
Part two. The spirit container has a threaded brass cap which had a perished leather seal so I substituted a viton seal: The flame regulator is pressed metal: The first test firing was in the kitchen. First lighting: 3 minutes later: A nice blue flame once the pot was put on top. A little flame spillage out the sides which would be the cause of the scorching to the cane wrapping on the pot handles: A rolling boil of one UK pint in 8 minutes: The flame regulator fits through any of the upper slots in the stand and does a good job: First outing - Sheffield park, East Sussex: Patents: Complete outfit - 125923 (1919) Link Spirit container - 155967 (1919) Link Burner - 152239 (1919) Link Flame Regulator - 126923 (1919) Link Now I just need to find the other five versions.. Regards, Terry
Hey, Terry, What a wonderful little Sirram stove setup! I've seen one of those over on this side of the Pond, but the asking price was too high for me to pony up the coins. Great set, though, and well worth owning and enjoying. Thanks for sharing it here, and also for the excellent photos and report! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Mark
Hello Terry I have posted the patent for your meths container here. P.S. I see it was already published by Ross!
A lovely set. I have one but it does not have the wicker binding on the handle and the tinning on the inside of your pan is in far better condition. It seems to be almost undamaged. I do have a leather box-case for mine though! Whatever you do, don't polish off that lovely patina!
Mine's got the (presumably later) metal box rather than the leather case. Not as nice but probably more practical in the long run...