14-063 Garand Picture of the Day

[Mark in Rochester]

Field troops were in dire need of a compact stove that could operate within a wide range of conditions in multiple theaters, weighed less than five pounds, could be no larger than a quart bottle of milk, and could burn any kind of fuel. And, the U.S. Army wanted 5,000 of the stoves delivered in sixty days. Work commenced immediately to design and manufacture a stove that met the Army’s strict specifications. The end product far exceeded anything that the Army had requested: the stove could work at 60 degrees below and up to 150 degrees above Fahrenheit; it could burn all kinds of fuel; it weighed a mere three and one-half pounds; and it was smaller than a quart bottle of milk. The first order for 5,000 units was flown to U.S. forces involved in Operation Torch, an allied invasion of North Africa in 1942. World War II journalist Ernie Pyle devoted 15 news articles to the Coleman® pocket stove and considered it one of the two most important pieces of noncombat equipment in the war effort, the other being the Jeep.” - The Trunk | The Art of Manliness

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Mike Haas]

Essentially the same thing (a copy of) the swedish Primus Camp Stove provided to the Swedish Military & civilians. I have a Primus # 71 and it works well.

[Bob Seijas]

The complete story is so great -- I hate pictures that make you guess what is going on. Nice job!

[browningautorifle]

You guys remember the stove, gasoline burning, M1951?...that little begger looks like a direct fore runner.

[Bob Womack]

This pic launched me off int a memory, and memories are interesting things. I went back to the 1970s when I was doing a lot of hiking and read Colin Fletcher's book, The Complete Walker. He used a Svea 123 white gas stove. I needed a backpack stove so I went shopping for a 123. All the local climbing store had was an Optimus 80, so I bought it, took it home, and learned to "work" it:


I've had that stove ever since and it still fires right up for me. I've used it on countless hikes and climbs and even when power has gone out after a storm. A few years back when I heard that Colin Fletcher had died I went out in front of my garage, set up a camp stool and the stove, brewed a cup of tea, and toasted him. I love that stove, even though I once got second degree burns off it in the middle of a hike. The chuffing sound it makes fills up those cloudy, wet hiking days with the comforting promise of coffee, cocoa, or a warm meal. And when you shut it off, the sound of the world rushes in once again.

I still want to pick up a Svea 123. They just seem a little more self-contained. And they are still being made!



Bob

[browningautorifle]

I don't see your first pic Bob, and typical of my memory...the stove is 1950 model. This one. All the same memories of use in the bush. Right now available for $57, seems not very much for a loyal friend. Thing is, you need to know how to maintain your stoves in the field, and those of us that did always took our own set of equipment to fix them. The issue kit was always wanting a bit... In our army, it was a weapon tech's job to maintain. They didn't like the job so they'd give it to the junior man. Sometimes he'd be just a kid with no real knowledge. It's the same as your personal weapon though, you have to keep it operating or you'll suffer.

[Paul S.]

Bob, speaking of Svea 123's, they are what we used when I did an Outward Bound course in February1990. We never had a problem with them.

[Bob Womack]

Here's another pic:

Attachment 50765
(Click to enlarge)

Bob

[browningautorifle]

Yes, I'm familiar with them...we had smaller versions on the OPs overseas.