All the references I have for Stesco stoves are that they are British made. I seem to recall someone had one marked 'Made in the USA' - Los Angeles rings a bell for some reason. If you have one does it have any country of origin info?? I've got reference for these going back to the the early 1930's right up to 1968! In '68 it cost 19/6 compared to 62/6 for a Primus 71L
Hi Ross, I have two coil burners of this type. One is a Stesco, the other an "Xplorer". I have only ever seen one other Xplorer, and that is on eBay very recently (may still even be listed). Of course just because I've not seen many doesn't mean to say there aren't loads of them spread around the members. Anyway, my Stesco has "British Manufacture" marked on both the lid of the tin, and on the stove. The stove also has "Stesco Series" marked on the stove as a logo. The Xplorer is virtually identical both in tin and stove, with the tin sharing around 80% of the same graphics as the Stesco. Without any actual proof I would offer by way of observation, the very strong opinion these came out of the same factory. However, the Xplorer has "Made in England" on both the tin (not the lid) and the stove. The stove has no other markings but in all other respects is the same the Stesco (including the lighter device and the windshield). There are some other difference on the tin with relation to the suggested applications - let me know if you're interested in a picture as I haven't come across an Xplorer in any of the pics on the site. I have what I believe is the original instruction sheet for the Stesco, but it is totally unbranded in anyway, and has no version or printer indentifications either - just the instructions. All this is detail you probably already know. However, here's one subtle difference I noticed. On the Stesco tin it refers to "petrol" as being the fuel. On the Xplorer tin it refers to "gasoline" as being the fuel. Was gasoline ever common parlance in the UK - I can't recall it in my lifetime? If not then logic suggests that perhaps the "Xplorer" model was the export version to the US or elsewhere? And to get back to your original question question, maybe if it became a popular item maybe some local manufacture under licence deal was done, perhaps during the WW2 years when I assume there wouldn't have been the focus on manufacturing the Stesco in the UK? This last bit is pure conjecture but is a viable theory, just need to prove it's either valid or complete tosh! I'm afraid I cannot contribute to that proof one way or the other so merely offer the theory as a suggestion.
Thanks Graham. Mine too is clearly made in the UK. I recall having one in the past that was marked 'Foreign' under the tank. As I got it in a UK junk shop I doubt it was an ebay international import so was likely made outside the UK. I'm currently trasfering the stoves from the collectors galleries into the new site & there is a red tinned Stesco that I seem to remeber being US made. I've contacted the owner & he recalls it was made in California & is going to get pictures of the marks. There are so many similarities in the stove & tin with other brands that are either 'Foriegn' or Made in Japan that I believe the Stesco was likely made in various countries at different times in it's history. They are virtually cheap & simple toys so I can't imagine manufacturing setup would be difficult. As the new reference section is categorised by Country, Make & Model such cross border models present listing difficulties! I've seen the Xplorer in ebay too - first one I've seen. Once we go live on the new site it would be great if you could post pics of your. I'd appreciate if you could wait until then as every photo posted in the current stove reference section is extra work for us before we move, but I'm reluctant to lock it.
Hey, Ross, I, too, own a Stesco that was made in the USA. Mine came to me back when I found a ton of stoves on an Alaskan work trip. It's never been fired, has all it's paperwork, prickers, lighting aid, plug, and legs, plus one "extra" leg. The tin is marked, "Made In U.S.A.", and underneath the fuel tank it reads, "USA Patent Applied For", "Stesco Trade Mark", and "Seabury & Co., Los Angeles, USA". I think I may have posted photos of this stove, back when I first found it, but will be happy to send them to you, if they would be of help. Let me know if you want the Photo Bucket photos, or for me to email the photos to you, at your regular email address. Hope that helps some. Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
I too have some of these burners - Stesco and Lil Injun - but they are some 600kms south of me at present as I'm in a temporary residential situation (no, not incarcerated, but thanks for asking) until the end of the year and had to relocate my nearest and dearest; stoves that is, the famdamily remain. However, as chance would have it, I may be able to extract the above mentioned stoves next weekend and if this post is still live I will advise makers. Regards, Rob
Thanks Guys. The Injun is Japanese made I believe although for the US market Doc - just hang fire until CCSv3 (I know you're all sick of me saying that but it is now just a few weeks away!) & post them pics yourself!!
