Trying to identify my baby bear

[Mike.T]

I am restoring my parents baby bear and I'm try to get more information. I think it's a real early one. It has 4 fins on the damper, long taper on the legs, outlet pipe is welded on the outside, it has a handwritten "5" in weld bead on the bottom and "B-006" stamped on the inside of the door. The handle is straight and has a chrome ball on the end. Can anyone (Coaly) tell me what all means?

 

[coaly]

Early Baby Bear, possibly the 5th one made by that fabricator if that is a stove number.

Leg taper is normal. 3 piece or bent top? If 3 piece, it probably had pipe cap dampers originally and were upgraded to newer aluminum EZ-Spin. If bent top, the air dampers are original.

B on door is foundry marking for Baby. 006 could be pattern number,

 

[Mike.T]

Early Baby Bear, possibly the 5th one made by that fabricator if that is a stove number.

Leg taper is normal. 3 piece or bent top? If 3 piece, it probably had pipe cap dampers originally and were upgraded to newer aluminum EZ-Spin. If bent top, the air dampers are original.

B on door is foundry marking for Baby. 006 could be pattern number,

Thanks Coaly. It's a bent one piece top. I think my parents bought it at the New York State Fair. They said it was an extravagant purchase-expensive for a stove. What year would you guess it to be?
They used it for years but then must have over heated it because it split right across the back-big crack. I welded plates over the crack, made a baffle plate and am re-firebrickong the back. I'll send more pics when I get it out of my truck. I mentioned the leg taper and ball handle because they seem to be age indicators according to other stuff you've written on the matter.

 

[coaly]

1975

 

[Mike.T]

Cool! Thanks Coaly! Here are some before pics. Also includes a baffle plate I made. I am not sure how one it will last being only .090. When it falls, I'll try this high temp insulation board. That is what I've used for years in my Hampton John Deere stove.