Objects Database

Optimus 80 Petrol Stove

Accession Number

1317.2016.1

Object Name

Optimus 80 Petrol Stove

Created

27/04/2016

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

27/04/2016

Brief Description

Optimus petrol stove inside tin with two prickers in paper packet.

Materials

metal

Dimensions

14(H) x 9(W) x9(L) cms

Number Of Objects

2

Inscription Description

On tin "OPTIMUS MADE IN SWEDEN " and safety instructions.
On stove " OPTIMUS MADE IN SWEDEN 80" and Optimus logo

Colour

red, blue, white,gold

Maker

Optimus

Object Production Place

Sweden

Provenance

Although both Primus and Optimus were supposedly two separate companies until the 1960's, they seem to have produced almost identical stoves prior to that. In this case we have an Optimus 80 and elsewhere in this collection you'll find a Primus 71. Other than the name, packaging and a few minor features there is little to choose between them
One of the minor features was that Primus put a date stamp on the base of their stoves whereas Optimus didn't which makes the year of manufacture more tricky to find.
However, we do know that this particular stove was part of a large order purchased by the Ministry of Defence in the late 1960's for use by the Royal Marines in their Arctic Warfare Training in Norway.
This one was acquired by Mick Tighe at the time and seems to be in pretty much mint condition.

Acquisition Method

Donated by Mick Tighe

Acquisition Date

27/04/2016

Condition Check Date

27/04/2016

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

27/04/2016

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Related Items

Primus No 71 camping stove
Primus No. 71 Petrol Stove in Optimus Tin