Greetings, I just saw an ad for surplus Optimus stoves at the Sportsman's Guide. Am I correct in that the pictured item is a 111? Not sure what letter follows the 111 for the model offered. They are saying it is 6.75" square by 4.5" high. It looks to have the quiet burner too. I can't post a pic just yet, sorry. With a coupon and membership I can get one for about $80 US. I have no idea what these are worth. It looks to be in good shape, but I can't examine it. Here is the link if you want to look at it: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/used-swedish-military-optimus-stove.aspx?a=713482 Thanks, T-Bone Comments?
The 111T is, IMHO, The best of all the 111 variations! A true Multi-Fuel, Silent burner, and just plain elegant when shined up! Pretty good price too! If I didn't already have a couple, I'd jump on that deal, myself!!!
the silent burner is not as good as a kero roarer imo, it's better than a kick in the sack but it doesn't even come close to a pure 111 and as for multiuel the 111 will burn paraffin and colemans perfectly well despite what everyone seems to think it will also be as safe or unsafe as the 111t is on white gas as it uses all the same parts except burner that the 111t pretender to the crown uses, as for meths well does anyone seriously consider that to be a suitable fuel for a 111t? 1.5 kilo for a meths stove i'll get my coat ready atb Bill [ who is now running for cover ]
Well I did a bit of research on the site and it looks like a 111T like you say although I did see that some surplus models were 111C? In any case TSG says they are in good shape so I popped for one. Probably shouldn't have in this economy, but I love a good stove. When it arrives in a week or so, I'll give it a good cleaning and check the parts for replacement. If anyone wants to get one, mine is already on it's way.
the pic is definitely a 111t not c the c has a steel tank the burner sits lower and also on the c's i have had the windshield is steel not brass hope you get a nice one
Here is the image at last. Looks like it could use a good cleaning. Any problems using Brasso on the brass parts?
Brasso will make it shine shine shine (sounds like that kids song 'this little stove of mine, I'm gonna make it shine), I love sitting front of latenite tv with brasso and a polishing rag degunging a brass tank Polish tank, check NRV and pressure cup and you are so in business! The 111 family is quite rightly held in considerable esteem in these here parts.....
Well, I have a 111C, and I'd call it the Bastige stepchild! Not up to the others, in quality. Steel tank? Tacky! Plus mine arrived, NIB, from a dealer, with a cracked burner! Needs a very long pre-heat, as the burner Casting is a massive thing! Once you get it going, it's not too bad,but... I do love Brass!! As to the 111, it's a Roarer burner, and it's LOUD! Better in the wind, though. None of them are suitable for backpacking, but more for base camp/car camping. My $.02 anyway, YMMV.
edit the c also has the control spindle on the left hand side,,,,,,unless it's one of those elusive Norwegian Army ones with the extended fuel tube
Yep, mine runs on panel wipe/Coleman but steadfastly refuses to drink anything else. Definitely the runt of the litter IMHO...
i had the same trouble with my opti 11 explorer [111c cobra burner] it was a total bitch, i spent nearly a day on it swapping jets and inner and outer caps till i got it working right on paraffin but i'm REALLY pleased with it now it rocks opti Nova is the new fangled better stove yea right
I tell ya, you got to pre-heat the hell out of it to burn kero, the cast burner is massive, takes a lot of heat! At least two pre-heats, IMHO.
I bought one. It came in worse shape than the catalog picture shows. The inside covered in soot and thick, gummy residue, like the detritus of some ghastly mistake. The outside with lots of scratches. Plenty of corrosion on the tank, which had clear, viscous fuel (diesel?) and crusty residue (corrosion? varnish/gum?) inside. So far I have just done a basic thorough exterior cleaning. It cleaned up fairly well, though a fair amount of interior paint was softened by the gummy residue and came off. It burns nicely and hot, if a bit lopsided, on Coleman fuel. I think it's going to be a good day hike / picnic burner (I like to carry some extra weight on a day hike). It needs the tank cleaned out, and maybe some heat/quench cycles on the burner to cure the lopsided flame. The silent burner cap is fastened to the burner with sharp pointed sheet metal screws through two tabs, is this normal? I'm looking forward to trying it with kerosene after I sort out the burner and tank.
That one should clean up very nice!!! And yes, the screws are stock. Considering what they've been going for on Ebay, you got a deal!
I'm pretty happy with it. Roarers are great for backpacking, but silent burners are just the thing for social events, e.g. anytime my wife is with me. I did not get the $79 price mentioned above, I paid $99, which I still think is very fair.
Could be suntan lotion for when it's not primed with meths. That's it....the second bottle's missing. HA! I don't see anything that, after an hour with some vinegar, 409, a scrub brush, and some polish, would keep this from looking near mint!! You got a good one there. Mike
