Cookstove I.D. Help....

C

CDLaine

Member
Hello,

Az. dweller seeking wisdom. I hope I am following the rules, and am in the correct location.

Today , I found a long neglected cast Iron cook stove (4 eye). It has a front hinged swing door with the imprint "Geneva" . And, raised imprint
of "8-16" (#8 top holes, 16" oven) on the cooktop surface. No other foundry identifier logo visible (although I found raised letter "W" in three locations). The base plate has a clearly visible (underside) "gate" mark .... which would seem to indicate late 1800's. Appears to be a plain Jane model.... as there is total lack of ornate attachments.

I have just begun the clean up. A search of the internet has failed to yield this "model" Geneva. The only "Geneva" i tracked was via Phillips & Clark Stove Co. (Foundry), Geneva, N.Y. (later the "Andes Stove Co.")...but, that was an ornate parlor model , circa 1904.

Possibly a clone...for catalog/remote sales...bears very strong structural resemblance to a Martin "Perfection" i rehab-ed for a friend (circa 1918).

All commentary is gratefully received...and, any insights provided will be welcome.

Thank you,
Charles

http://imgur.com/a/1ZRKz
 
Charles...I'm no expert on wood burning stoves but you may want to just Google "Antique Wood Burning Stoves" and view the photos to the link and see what you come up with.
I have one that I saved to my favorites and there are hundreds of them all by different manufactures. I gifted a close friend of mine with a 1908 Sears catalog and was surprised at all the different companies that Sears owned including Wehrle which claimed to be the largest in the world at the time of that catalog publishing. Wehrle was located in Newark Ohio. There was a stove similar to yours called a moose laundry stove labeled "ACME". It sold for $3.98 at that time.
If you ever have the chance to do a day trip to the outskirts of El Paso there is an antique shop just off I-10 around the mile marker #6 North side of town that has the most wood burning stoves I have ever seen in one location. Since you're located in Az. it may be a short drive for you. Sorry I can't be of more help.
 
MD,

Excellent recommendations . I have been interrogating the web for images and historical data...without much success. Like you indicate.... many foundries, many sales sources. As this is obviously a no frills economy level flat top cook stove it will be lucky to find much information related to this "Geneva". So far, all things "geneva" and cast iron cook stoves lead to Phillips & Clark stove co.in Geneva, N.Y. . Both Phillips and Clark had stove manuf. facilities in Troy , N.Y. as early as 1866 (Clark started operations as a 22 y/o, but Phillips was the "money") ! I also tracked two interesting patents to P&C stove co. The earliest catalog I've found is 1904 (viewable on Harvard Univ. library website)...mostly parlor stoves....very upscale. Of course, Geneva could indicate someone interested in marketing to the Swiss immigrant ???

I'll keep searching and digging...not likely this is a lone survivor.... Upon prep the cast iron is revealing additional alpha-numeric imprints (inner legs) that could possibly indicate ability to order parts thru a catalog, or, just foundry assembly/mold stations.

El Paso .... hmmmm only a 6 hr. road trip (each way)... might be fun .... the bride and I were stationed there in the 70's.

Thanks again.. I enjoy the hunt and learning.

Charles
http://imgur.com/a/1ZRKz
 
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Comment: Charles I am glad to see your work on this old stove. I hope you can get it into working order; if not, it would make a great display piece to hold some of the rest of your collection.;) Good luck on finding the info. you need to identify it!
 
Thank you Sharon. I have to be totally honest here.... this stove is destined for use in the backyard. My Arkansas bride grew up around these type of stove /ovens so she really enjoys me just starting a fire in one, opening the hatch, and watching. On occasion we will cook something on the stove top just to keep in practice. I was realistic in the purchase price ($220.00) as to condition, and, missing grate. Upon de-construction I found a crack near the stove pipe flange that I either missed, was buried, or I inflicted :x (when transporting). Nothing serious as I already knew what the intended purpose plan entailed.

So, I am in the meet-and-greet phase. (see added photos). A general purpose clean up, some wire-brushing/emory...then I'm thinking some high temp stove paint. I promised myself not to get carried away....make it presentable, and enjoy it....:coffee: well, that is the plan anyway.

I really enjoy this stuff... so, trying to extend the life cycle of this before it ends up as a flower planter. :icon_thumbsup:

late edit...photographic proof indicates I cracked it.

Charles
http://imgur.com/a/1ZRKz
 
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Well, many hours into this one. Many lessons learned. I will add stovepipe this weekend, and, have the first test fire in many years. Missing a grate, and a front panel slider.... will continue to search for replacements. Will be used as an outdoor cook/fire/heat source only..... I am pleased with the results.
Charles
http://imgur.com/a/t4lyE
 
Thank you. Yes, a lot of work. The most important step.... choose wisely at the point of purchase... can make the rest of the labor more tolerable. I could have done a better job on selection.
Charles
 
Lots of work in this one and the results are impressive! I hope you enjoy it--I surely would. (Too bad I don't have your work ethic Charles.) I bet that will be a favorite piece for you guys--thanks for sharing the process and results with us via your photos.
 
Thank you.... :) I underestimated the amount of work that goes into reconditioning one of these stoves. Hats off and respect to all the folks that do these routinely. Thankful that this one did not sport a lot of ornamentation. It is also not helpful if the owner has OCD tendencies:oops: Knowing when to say "enough" is a valuable trait.

I am very pleased with the outcome. This should provide years of enjoyment. If I had a do-over , I would still use the same approach.... but, take more breaks ! :-D

Here is it's new backyard abode.

Charles
http://imgur.com/a/oSypa
 
Looks great Charles. I have a couple of parlor stoves waiting for me to renew. One is a ASW (Atlanta Stove Works) the other I can't pull up the name right now, but it's older and came from up north. I have a question, where did you find the stove pipe adapter from oval to round? I can have a sheet metal shop make one but If I can find one retail it would be more economical.
 
Russell,

Thank you for the compliments. I could not believe, when I found the stove pipe adaptor at Home Depot. I had to re-shape a bit to get it to fit... as mine is mostly cosmetic I didn't care if it was hermetically sealed. BTW.... I sprayed with high heat flat black paint .... again, just for cosmetics. Please post your before , during , and after photos Russell ... I think the cast iron community enjoys the link between skillet and stove.:icon_thumbsup:

Ok... just a follow up and then I'll quit bothering. This a.m. first fire - up... biscuits, scrambled eggs , and, (of course) bacon. All respect given to our pioneer ancestors... I can't imagine standing over one of these and canning all day ! Mercy . Things I re-learned.... cast iron gets hot, skin not ideal to grab hot cast iron with.... enough said. Bride says I did "ok"... high praise indeed. Next time I'll be more organized , too many trips to the kitchen. On a scale of one-to-cool...this is way cool ! 😎Charles.

First run...
http://imgur.com/a/vqdRB
 
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