My husband found an old stove at a garage sale called a Mini Bear. After reading some of the posts, I'm wondering if this is a copycat. I can't find any information on any such stove. He fixed it up for decorative purposes only. I can't find any factory markings on it and I wonder if it was just someone's creation. It is about 28" high, 14" wide and about 18" deep. I appreciate any input.
Is there such thing as a Mini Bear?
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![[Hearth.com] Is there such thing as a Mini Bear?](/talk/data/attachments/156/156164-2bd6ac1fa3cff2ac0d2feb6fb57b0eaf.jpg?hash=GYoKyr5TFO)
![[Hearth.com] Is there such thing as a Mini Bear?](/talk/data/attachments/156/156165-24f14fe0852a4df7eb53d80da286cc25.jpg?hash=tj-AMS8hfH)
![[Hearth.com] Is there such thing as a Mini Bear?](/talk/data/attachments/156/156166-36ff3b33d28d4e922b8fd6d1205fe9fc.jpg?hash=doY_ik-nUA)
it is not a fisher i can tell you that it was probably some local stove maker but someone might have more input
Here's the other Mini Bear owner from Lewiston ID ; https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/new-stove-identification.132015/#post-1775000
That one made it to the "Fisher Clone" file. Notice it has the same style ball feet and corner construction as the early Fishers. But the late style 5 fin Fisher Cap.
![[Hearth.com] Is there such thing as a Mini Bear?](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/156/156336-01afbb145e2af2b150125f6c17009d5f.jpg?hash=5Y6oPSB0ky "[Hearth.com] Is there such thing as a Mini Bear?")
Some Fishers found in Washington state were made like your two piece top. Presumably in the time period between the early 3 piece top and single piece bent tops. Side vent with 2 piece top is shown below.
![[Hearth.com] Is there such thing as a Mini Bear?](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/156/156337-f3e1c409f8d296c800ca99e3b439bff7.jpg?hash=bMEaWhw5fT "[Hearth.com] Is there such thing as a Mini Bear?")
![[Hearth.com] Is there such thing as a Mini Bear?](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/156/156338-3f66309926cbf834276ac0e24955158a.jpg?hash=KU0Fd7Kpoz "[Hearth.com] Is there such thing as a Mini Bear?")
This fabricator was Bob Fishers cousin Barb Jorgensen that had to fire a production manager of theirs that was making his own version of the Fisher. That happened to them twice in Washington. Could be one of those guys............ they are the only tops I remember with a bent lower piece with top plate overhang, and built like yours.
The stove body with Mini Bear door above looks exactly like a pre 1980 Fisher box.
Yours looks exactly like the later post 1980 Fisher box with Fireplace Legs.
![[Hearth.com] Is there such thing as a Mini Bear?](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/156/156339-5f9145d90e999b7a57b38b44f05efd0b.jpg?hash=9kZlKa7oaP "[Hearth.com] Is there such thing as a Mini Bear?")
The later Fisher had built in shield as shown.
Does that look like the back of your stove? That's a Baby VI made in June 1980.
That one made it to the "Fisher Clone" file. Notice it has the same style ball feet and corner construction as the early Fishers. But the late style 5 fin Fisher Cap.
Some Fishers found in Washington state were made like your two piece top. Presumably in the time period between the early 3 piece top and single piece bent tops. Side vent with 2 piece top is shown below.
This fabricator was Bob Fishers cousin Barb Jorgensen that had to fire a production manager of theirs that was making his own version of the Fisher. That happened to them twice in Washington. Could be one of those guys............ they are the only tops I remember with a bent lower piece with top plate overhang, and built like yours.
The stove body with Mini Bear door above looks exactly like a pre 1980 Fisher box.
Yours looks exactly like the later post 1980 Fisher box with Fireplace Legs.
The later Fisher had built in shield as shown.Does that look like the back of your stove? That's a Baby VI made in June 1980.
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