Hi, here are some photos of a stove that I have been fettling recently. I bought this stove because it has a "parking boss" on the tank for the reserve cap. This is very unusual, as on this model, the reserve cap is normally parked on the threaded pump knob, when not in use. I replaced all the washers and pump leather. I also pulled the NRV but the cork NRV "pip" was in good condition so I just put retained it, hopefully for another 50+ years. This is an Optimus No.48, a 1.75 pint collapsible paraffin stove fitted with a silent burner. It is the sister of the more common Optimus No.45: 1. As you note this stove was produced by Optimus in their Upplands Väsby factory. The outer silent burner cap is marked OPTIMUS-SWEDEN, so it was likely produced before the formation of the Primus Trading Company in 1962. 2. This stove has a filler nozzle flush with the surface of the tank. The sunken nozzle feature was introduced in the Optimus No.45 and 48 stoves in 1957/8: https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/9292 So this example is pre-1957/58 3. This particular Op.48 stove has the air-screw mounted on the top of the filler cap. This dates the stove to around 1958/1962, where the catalogue shows the air-screw mounted on the filler cap.. (Another clue to age is the position of the air screw. "...with stoves things are never simple. Over its lifetime the air-release screw on the Optimus 45 would seem to have moved around a bit! 1. From the top of the tank, in the 1920 and 1929 catalogues. 2.To the top of the fuel filler cap in the 1939 catalogue. 3. To the side of the filler up-stand in the 1954 catalogue. 4. To the top of the fuel filler cap in the 1959 and 1962 catalogues. Then, 3. Finally, back to the side of the filler up-stand in the 1972 catalogue".) The above evidence would suggest a stove manufactured around 1957/58. Oh, the Parking boss is a later addition. Which manufacturer would stick a boss on top of the advertising engraving? Maybe the user didn't notice the threading on the pump knob? Best Regards, Kerophile.
Hi Kerophile Super technical post on the 48 , the stove is also very nice & the disc type are very desirable I'm like you my fave stoves are the collapsible ones of all sizes 8) Stu
Like it, George - post and stove both. Wouldn't take much to remove the keeper cap parking boss and clean up the solder staining left. Adds to the character though. I wonder if the owner who chose to do that ever realised that the cap could screw on the pump knob (and make it more comfortable to use the pump too)? If so, must have been one of these moments ... John
Very nice George. New information for me. That's the first I have seen the reserve cap put on the pump handle. I will look for that now. Ken in NC
Good Evening, Kerophile, Both Sweet Bride and I love our Optimus 48 stoves, and this model is our most favorite in that size. Easy to use, reliable, powerful, simmers like a champ, and easy on the eye, this stove is simply fantastic. Though I had it's brother, the Optimus 45, before I got our first 48, the quiet brother won both of us over immediately, and we've been in love ever since. Yours obviously has a story of it's own, and I'd love to know what it is, as, I'm sure would you! Thanks for sharing this interesting variation, and well done on the fettling job. Thanks, also, for the additional information on the various time-lines on this model. Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
