New to me Mama Bear?

[acp104]

Hi folks,
I just picked up what I believe is Mama Bear. Just thought I'd post a few pictures and see if if anyone could possibly date it. I believe these are older draft caps. I'm not sure if the spring handle is original. I'm guessing 1977-1978 based on reading on here so far.

 

[Don H]

Any writing on the bottom in weld? Maybe some initials?
It is a Mama Bear.

Single bend handle with newer open wound spring. I think that makes it made about '78. This is the same set up my Baby Bear has. By '79 they were using double bent handles.

 

[acp104]

Well, I did find some additional info under the ash fender. Looks like it was fabbed in Hesston KS. It's even still got the ID decal, but I can't read it well enough to get much.

 

[acp104]

Unfortunately someone did a hack rework job on the outlet of this stove, I assume to fasten it directly to a masonry chimney/wall. I plan on cutting this mess off and returning it to closer to original. I believe these older stove outlets were 6" OD rather than ID? Pretty sure my All Nighter is... So I'm wondering if now may be the time to change it to a 6" ID outlet to more easily accommodate today's available stove pipe???

 

[Don H]

Nice that you still has the label.
Is the original outlet pipe still in there? In kinda looks like it from the picture that shows the inside.

 

[acp104]

No, I don't think so. If I'm not mistaken, the outlet pipe should stick inside the stove an inch or two and out the back an inch or two? The outlet does not protrude into the stove at all in this case. I assume the outlets were only welded in from the outside of the stove, so I'm thinking they ground the weld away and removed the outlet piece and may have even reused it for the connection on their modded outlet. I really hope they didn't cut around the original outlet with a torch.... The hole through the stove back looks pretty clean though so I'm hopeful the hole is the original size.

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[Don H]

Yes the pipe protrudes inside the stove and also outside. I think you can find some inside photos showing the outlet pipe in the thread about baffle plates.

 

[acp104]

Thanks, I'll see if I can find it.

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