Not so new toy!

[Grant Lamontagne]

Can anyone guess what this is?



No need to guess- it's one of the great things my father brought me on his recent visit:



His old military issue camp stove!  Or, more accurately, it's an Optimus 123 white gas stove that he was issued in the old days when he was with the Combat Engineers.  It's pretty well solid brass inside the aluminum case and comes with a small pot inside, although the case parts can be used as larger pots if need be.



It's a nice little stove and I can see it getting some use.  It's a little more convenient to carry than my double burner Coleman Stove, and somewhat easier to pack into a kayak!

And, in case anyone is upset there's no multitool related content to this post, here's a close-up of the key, which not only adjusts the flow of gas, but also has a couple of wrench cutouts for maintaining the stove itself.



And, in case anyone is wondering, yes I filled it with gas and lit it, and yes I still have my eyebrows! 

Def

[Zed]

very nice bit of kit Def   

[Grant Lamontagne]

Thank- I'm pretty pleased with it.  I am thinking of getting some noodles or something today and giving it a real test. 

Def

[Gareth]

Very cool mate, I'd love to have something like that.

[Mr. Whippy]

I believe those are still highly regarded for their simplicity and durability.  I think of that design as a Svea 123.

I really like that design.

[jzmtl]

Nice, always wanted one but never found a good source.

Apparently everybody who has one love it.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I believe those are still highly regarded for their simplicity and durability.  I think of that design as a Svea 123.

I really like that design.

I see it listed as the Optima or the Svea, but the instruction sheet (and yes, it has the original instruction sheet!) says Optima.

Jie, I have seen them on eBay and a few specialist sites.  I'd also suggest checking Army/Navy surplus stores since this was an actual issue stove.  I can't say much about it's longevity as I just got it, but my father has been dragging it around for well over 40 years without use and it still fires up without a problem.

Def

[nuphoria]

Very cool. No action shots?

[Grant Lamontagne]

It's hard to get a good shot of a blue flame without it being too dark to see anything else, or so bright that the flame can't be seen, but here's my best shot at it.  I wasn't planning on posting an action shot, but I never say no to an amazon in a corset! 

Def

[Gareth]

actually I reckon that's a pretty good shot boss!   Stove looks to be in good working order too.

[Grant Lamontagne]

You have no idea how many shots I had to take to get that one! 

It takes a bit to get it lit, but once it gets going it really burns nicely.  I'm using Coleman Camp Fuel:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naphtha

It's just naptha, but probably a little more expensive because of the brand name, but it works well and that's the bottom line! 

Def

[jzmtl]

I see it listed as the Optima or the Svea, but the instruction sheet (and yes, it has the original instruction sheet!) says Optima.

Jie, I have seen them on eBay and a few specialist sites.  I'd also suggest checking Army/Navy surplus stores since this was an actual issue stove.  I can't say much about it's longevity as I just got it, but my father has been dragging it around for well over 40 years without use and it still fires up without a problem.

Def

I've seen them here and there, but the final cost always goes above $100, kinda hard to swallow when I can get a modern multifuel stove for the same price.

There are two surplus stores in Montreal, or more correctly, two overpriced-used-clothing-cheap-crap-and-knockoffs-stores.

Those stoves are solid, it's common to see ones in use that's as old as yours.

[MultiMat]

Def is it LPG that goes in the cylinder  .

In Oz all LPG cylinders are date stamped & have to be rechecked every 10 years I think  .
I think in most cases it is not cost effective to have your cylinder re stamped  .
Do gas cylinders have to checked in North America 

[Grant Lamontagne]

I wondered about seal integrity and other things when I first lit it- after all, rubber o-rings aren't expected to live 40 years or more.  It seems that if there are any seals or o-rings that they are still intact because it runs fine.  I'm running it on "white gas" which I'm pretty certain is just naptha with a higher price tag.  It's not in a pressurized bottle or anything- it came in a plastic bottle with a child proof cap, so there's really nothing to check.

I think most pressurized gas cylinders have to be checked, but in most cases around here they are either checked when refilled like the propane tank for my barbeque, or they are recycled like the smaller propane tanks for my dual burner Coleman stove or blowtorch.

Def

[Grant Lamontagne]

According to Wikipedia this seems to be a later model 123R since the earlier model 123 has a downward angled adjustment valve.

You know, in case anyone was wondering...

Def