This rusty little pile and its deluxe companion are brought to you by the Hugo Manufacturing Co. of Duluth, MN. These were made in the 1920's. Both have essentially the same design, with the #6 being a larger and more deluxe model. Both have auxiliary burners operated by a finger-operated jointed steel mechanism. The #6 has a warming rack and pressure gauge. These Basford stoves have a very large wind screen that allows the lid to serve as a warming tray. Both came with a funnel and pump, although the #5 no longer has either. A stand was also available, all of the ones I have seen are black. The #6 works very well and is used often. The #5 has a leaky tank and may just be put aside indefinitely. I would really like to learn more about other Basford stove models, but information is hard to find. John
Two great-looking stoves. That #6 must be great for cooking family meals. Lots of spaces on and off burners for pans, plates, etc. Also those big windscreens will be very useful.
Ah John, great to see you post, glad you got the #5, too bad about the holey tank. I am sure it could be repaired. I LUV my #6, a brute Jan
@StanDahl John, I am currently refurbishing a Basford stove that I am unsure of the Model No. I do have a clue, as there is a 4 embossed on the burner. However, I can't be sure that the embossed 4 corresponds with the Model No. Can you recall if on your Model No 6 - as stated on the decal, if your No 6 also has an embossed 6 on the burner? Like you, I really like the Basford. I have enjoyed working on the stove immensely. I have also enjoyed doing research on the 'Basford' side of the stove and beyond. As you know it is stamped as manufactured by Hugo MFG Co. I was interested as to why Hugo MFG called a stove 'Basford'
Ken, The stove is currently in pieces. The suitcase was painted brown though only about 5% of that paint remained. I have undercoated the suitcase ready for fresh brown paint. The fuel tank will be next. The fuel tank is brown too. As I mentioned earlier, the burner has a No 4 embossed on it. This is the stove after I lit it and prior to me commencing to refurbish it.
@Matty - I just found your reply as I was browsing back through the gallery to see if anyone had posted any other Basford stove models and I thought I'd check out my old topic. No notifications for me I guess. Anyway, thanks for posting that neat little stove, I don't think I've ever seen a #4. It does look like a #4, judging by an ad that can be found on ebay, but I am unable to load a clip of it here. I hadn't noticed until you asked, but yes, mine #6 does have a "6" embossed on the back of the manifold: It makes sense that that number is a model number, or it's a real coincidence.
My #5 has a "1" embossed on the back of the manifold, so maybe it's a coincidence, or maybe the #1 and #5 share the same burner assembly? I think that's possible, as they look to be about the same size, at least judging by photos in a not so scientific way.
John, Thanks for your reply. It is interesting that your No 1 has a '5' on the manifold. John, it appears that Basford may have had at least 8 models. The model No's started at 0. The highest Model No I have found is No7. I enjoyed doing a little research on Basford and found whom the person 'Basford' was. I'd be happy to share that information with you if you would ever like it. Having said that, you may well already know what I do or more. John, I wonder if it is possible that the No 5 and No 7 were just later model names given to the No 1 and No 0 stoves and that's why your No 5 has a number 1 on the manifold? I have found an ad for a Basford stove with an oven. It may be possible The No 5 stove was a No 1 but with an oven it was named No 5? Sorry, if I have confused you by not explaining what I'm trying to say very well.
Ken, I'll try and keep this as pertinent to the stove rather than go too far back or too far forward in regards to information on Basford. Harold Robert Basford was President of the H R Basford Co, San Francisco, California. At one time of or another he was also President of, Ruud Heater Co, Pacific Coast Gas Association, California State Automobile Association and the Fish and Game Development Association. When Basford's association with the Hugo MFG Co began, I can't say for sure. However, in 1917, a newly completed building in San Francisco, included H R Basford and Hugo MFG as tenants. It may well be, it is from here, that the two got to be familiar with each other. Basford had patented types of camp cots or beds prior to and after the stoves release. The earliest Basford stove advertisements I can find are from 1923. I think 1929 or possibly 1930 would have been the last year of manufacture. Basford stoves were advertised for sale in 1930 and 1931 but it may have been stock that hadn't as yet sold that was advertised. Was it Hugo MFG that invented the stove and branded it for H R Basford to retail or was it H R Basford invented the stove and got Hugo MFG to manufacture it - I don't know. I haven't looked into it.
I'm putting together series of articles for the ICCC website called "My Favorite Stove This Week". One of the first articles will be on the Basford #6, which will wander into other Basford models as well as a brief rundown on what I've learned about H.R. Basford and the Hugo Co. What you find is interesting, as I've not found Hugo outside of Duluth Minnesota.I hadn't connected Basford and Hugo together until the early 20's. This is mentioned in a couple of gas industry magazines in 1921 & '22. I have Basford at 428 and 431 Sutter in San Francisco in 1910 and 1917, but not Hugo. I find the Hugo Co. in Duluth in 1918. Patent information shows that Fred Klinert invented the Hugo stoves, and Basford isn't mentioned on any of the patents. I wonder if Basford invested in Hugo, or was just such a manly outdoorsman (I have a 1917 Rotarian magazine article describing a goose hunt starring H.R., who was a Rotary president at some point) that someone at Hugo decided to name the stove line after him. There are ads supposed to be dated 1929 and '30 that show Hugo of Duluth and Basford products (mainly the stove stand) on the same page, one indicates that the full product line is also available in San Francisco. H. R. Basford had the Basford Camp Equipment Co. in San Francisco for an unknown period of time. It's late here and it's a school night, so more later.
John, Here is the 1917, article that shows the building being completed by Thos G Taylor and handing it over to the companies named. Now I did assume that the companies named were going to be tenants, perhaps I'm wrong. I know by the stampings on my stove that Hugo MFG were in Duluth at the time my stove was manufactured. The point of me mentioning San Francisco in 1917 was, that is where Basford and Hugo MFG may of first become aware of each other. 1918 is the earliest I can find Hugo MFG in Deluth. John, as for address's for H R Basford & Co it looks as though in late 1921 or early 1922 H R Basford moved from Sutter St to 180 New Montomery St. H R Basford's fathers name was J K Basford. J K Basford moved to San Fransicisco in 1847. H R Basford was an only child or at least was the only child living when his mother died in 1913.
John, I was off away doing something when this that you said popped into my head. Are you suggesting that H R Bansford may have had nothing to do with the stoves, it was just that someone at Hugo MFG admired H R Bansford enough to name their stove after him? I had not thought of that angle. Now I do, I like your suggestion and it may well be correct. In case this helps you I thought you might like to see this. October 15, 1954
A wealthy outdoorsman that the company honored? Sounds quite possible. I have the sense that my stoves has roots into the royalty of the outdoorsman. Not just a stove, but a nice stove. I have always imagined that the owner of the stove had people that cooked for him. Coffee and breakfast ready at waking from the tent that was set up by someone else. Hunting gear cared for by others, and a guide especially hired for the local area. Not a Prentiss Wabers, AGM, or even a Coleman. But a Basford stove. I like to think that. I asked a local organization in Duluth to find me some information about the Hugo Company and the Basford stove. They said they had an associate that could do that, but that it would take time. I have asked a few times since, it was not completed yet. I will ask again. Ken in NC
I have been reading with much interest the growing unearthing of information in this thread. At some point it should be put together and summarised into an article to be placed in the Manufacturers section of the Stove Reference Library.
