Newly purchased Monitor 15 up and running

Discussion in 'Monitor' started by Colin Geer, Aug 18, 2017.

  1. Colin Geer

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    Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum but I've loved camping stoves (paraffin or petrol) since I was a teenager. I've just finished refurbing my faithful Shinabro GR-170 which I bought new 40 years ago and recently purchase a Primus S1 with a silent burner and a Chinese BRS 12. I already had a Coleman 533 dual fuel.

    Anyway.... I put in a bid of £10 on eBay for this Monitor and didn't actually think I'd be successful... but I was! It's a well made, solid stove. The leather pump washer was gone - only a compressed ring was left. Replaced that, filled it up and away she went!

    Looking at the forums I think it's a number 15 but I can't be sure. The filler cap is from a Primus, but apart from that, everything looks original and well looked after. Can anyone help date it? It has the words 'paraffin only' and the code 1872 stamped underneath that. I didn't think these were made as late as 1972 so has anyone got any ideas?

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  2. Metropolitantrout

    Metropolitantrout SotM Winner Subscriber

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    Welcome! I don't know which model your stove is but it looks good quality. Is your flame shot pic taken with the stove at full throttle? If so you might be able to improve it's performance with a new fuel cap seal. Pretty common for seals to dry out over time and lose pressure resulting in a weakened flame. Replacing the fuel cap seal wouldn't hurt. You could make your own or find one in the Fettlebox store (see the right margin of the homepage). If you make one just make sure to use fuel resistant rubber like Viton. Cheers, Jerry
     
  3. Colin Geer

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    That could well be the case. The original is totally rock hard and I doubt it's providing a very good seal! Also, it's from a Primus! Thanks for the info. It's a very well built stove and seems to be made from very thick brass!

    Any info on how old it is would be very welcome!
     
  4. kerophile

    kerophile United Kingdom SotM Winner Subscriber

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    Hi @Colin Geer , Welcome to CCS.

    You have a nice Monitor 15, so we can remove the question mark in the title.

    Monitor built solid, well-made stoves and your example could have been made at any time from the 1930s to the mid 1950s, as the design was largely unchanged over that period. Monitor had large miltary contracts, which probably helped them survive.

    Your stove was available with either a simple monitor filler cap, or at extra cost, a cap incorporating a safety pressure-release cap.

    Trust this helps,
    Best Regards,
    Kerophile.