Morning all , I am trying to get my head round a dating method for Optimus 111 type stoves, so here's a load of questions. *What year did the 111 start production ? *Were blue and green the only colours ? *When did Optimus stop using the cookie-cutter spindle on the 111 ? *When did they stop embossing the lid with the large Optimus badge ? *When did production of the 111/7 stop ? *Some have 111, 111B embossed on them when did this stop and stickers used instead ? *Any idea when the wind guard stopped being brass and became steel ? *When was " Optimus International " embossed on the stove ? *Was this just for some markets ? *What year did the 111T start production and have they all got the O ring pump ?. Sorry for so many questions but it's good to know. Cheers Cliff
After hunting the site this is what I have found to date 111s. Feel free to tell me I'm wrong as it would be handy to know. 1952 111 arrives to replace the 11, sold as multi fuel that's kero and petrol . Embossed tin " Optimus 111". Smaller catch on the tin than later modals. No hole on the burner for priming. The spirit cup is not removable. Brass pump rod. No wind shield ? Mid 50s 111 sold as kero only. Four pipes to burner. Steel wind shield. Embossed tin "Optimus 111". Cookie-cutter spindle key available in Black, White, Red, or Green. Slotted tank filler cap. Dark Green, Blue, or light green. 111B introduced B for Benzine/Petrol. Only two pipes to the burner. Embossed tin Optimus 111B. Cookie-cuter spindle key. Colours dark green, blue, light green.
111/7 silent burner version sold as multi fuel ( kero and petrol ) in the 1959 catalogue. Lettering below burner. Slotted tank lid. Cookie-cuter spindle key. Embossed lid " Optimus 111". No wind shield. 60s to 70s The flame ring can help with a date pre 1964. It has " Optimus Sweden ", post 1964 "Sweden" only. At this time Optimus have bought Primus and are selling 111 badged as Primus the same as the Optimus modal but badged Primus 111. Late 60s and 70. Case embossed with 111 or 111B only or sticker with 111 or 111B in the mid 70s. Later type of spindle key. Light blue, light green flat paint finish. Nut type filler cap. Mid 70s 111C early model sold as multi fuel benzin and kero. Silent burner. Leather pump washer. Light type spindle key. 1980s 111 kero. Plain tin with sticker " Optimus 111". Brass wind shield. 111B Plain tin with sticker 111B. Brass wind shield. Mid 80s 111 and 111B still on sale. 111T introduced as multi fuel Benzin/Kero and alcohol with a change of jet and a restrictor fitted. Normally blue in colour. Tin embossed " Optimus International ". Rubber O ring fitted on the pump. Heavy duty multi key. 111D, did we ever get to the bottom of that? As far as I can tell it has an extra pipe fitted to aid preheating in extreme cold. Can anybody tell me about the later modal 111C etc ? Military users have been, Sweden ( tidy chain to retain the filler cap , nice touch ) Britain America USMC 1970s Norway Any more ? As I said at the start, feel free to tell me I'm wrong. "The truth is out there" - Fox Mulder.
Hi Your upper stove (111) was made between 1952 and 1962 unless the burner has been changed. The marking on the flame ring looks as if it is also from that period I cannot see the marking on the burner of the 111B but if it is marked the same as the upper one it was made in the same period however that assumes that the burner has not been changed. If the burner is simply marked Sweden it was made between 1962 and 1976 and I think that the burners after 1976 were simply marked Optimus which was also the marking on the very early Optimus burners however you are correct in saying that the 111 was introduced in 1952 as a multifuel stove (paraffin and petroL) There appear to have been problems with burning petrol in the stove because the 111 became paraffin only and they introduced the 111B to burn petrol only. There does not appear to be any information when that changed but I think that it was quickly after the introduction of the 111 and the 111B was definitely out by 1956 Regards Bryan
Hi I missed some of your photos although I do not know how I am not certain how valid this is to your Primus 111 burner but non 111 roarer burners made between 1962 and 1969 were marked Optimus Primus. Roarer burners made between 1969 and 1976 were marked Made in Sweden because Optimus then were making Optimus, Primus and Svea stoves so the burners could be used on any make without it being obvious that the same maker was making three brands. Silent outer caps were marked Optimus Primus between 1962 and 1969. Between 1969 and 1976 the silent outer cap marking changed but I am not certain whether it was changed to Made in Sweden or simply Sweden. I think that the burners made after 1976 are simply marked Optimus Flame rings made after 1976 are simply marked Sweden Sweden and this change probably applied to flame rings made between 1969 and 1976. Whilst that was when the changes should have taken place there would be a stock of parts with the previous making on them so there could be an overlap of dates. Sorry if my previous reply caused confusion Regards Bryan
I thank you all for the information supplied, after reading the posts I'm assuming the 111 optimus I just purchased, was made from 1969 to 1976. From the looks of my stove, I don't believe it was ever fired up. Wondering if I should keep it in unused condition or should I fire this unit up, and use it as was intended? I have a nice 22 b circa 1958, that has been used, and could use it as my primary user stove. Another question? I have an unused Optimus, smoker pan that I've not been able to find information on? It fits perfectly on the 22 b... any info on it, is much appreciated.
I thought that might be the case for a collector, which I'm not. I purchased it in fleabay for what I thought was a good price. However, for now I'll refrain from firing it up. I thank you for the input!
Hi @Tom Smokov . There are many smokers, basically the same but with different brands. https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/kerophile-fishing-and-smoking.19216/#post-197495 How to smoke fish - Boat Angling Best Regards, Kerophile.
Thank you so much for the links... guess I'll be trying this thing out, and the info you gave me, shows me exactly how to do it.
Hi, are you located in the UK? If so, most of my family live in various cities in England, and a few in Ireland. Most reside in Manchester.
bump there may come a day that above timeline could be revisited. I have a comment and question about Putting a date to Optimus 111: The EASY dating is the #s Optimus stamped onto the box (last 2 digits = year). and yet I'm not sure what to make of these 8450209 -------------------- 8338900 source for 2nd one: My first Optimus 111 may want to have a look, more pics there. decode those date codes anyone? 11,500 views
talking to myself again. i don't think, I'm out on a limb here (with an extensive 111 review top of mind) Maybe this was after production left Upplands Vasby? for examples stamped like these are, i struggle to come up with any other option, Optimus changed their dating scheme: from last 2 digits = year (for loooong time) to first 2 digits = year with this seldom seen numbering scheme 8338900 .. 1983 8450209... 1984 I came to realize the details for these 2 stoves are a match for 1983/84. It's quacking like a duck. As to the remaining digits. Aw c'mon man we never figured that out for the prev. scheme : ) . take the win. the other #s are another mystery. 11,500 views
