FISHER Papa, Mama, and Baby Bear Details (Bear Series)

[david of ark]

Hello, I found this forum, and I would like to find out more about my Papa Bear wood stove. Any additional information would be much appreciated.
I purchased this stove in Cookeville, Tennessee in 1979. We used it to heat our un-insulated farm house for three years. It was superb, burned mostly shagbark hickory. Moved to Arkansas, and the stove is still in the barn, unused. I'm planning to sell it on CL. I'm having second thoughts, maybe. Haha.

Serial no: FS12-5027
Patent no: D287798
On back of door: E

There is a sticker on the bottom with this info.

Unit Identification
Part No. 9916347
Prod. Ord. 4952
Unit 1240-0037

Thanks in advance.
David

 

[coaly]

Probably came from the licensee in Ashville North Carolina who had Tennessee rights. All those numbers seem like a Hesston Stove body from Kansas since they weren't big on numbers down yonder . Possibly an H stamped in the ash fender trim in the front? The licensed fabricator bought in bulk from Hesston and would hang the door before shipping to your distributor. Do you remember what kind of store sold it? More were from hardware stores and other businesses that supplemented their sales during winter with them than stove shops back then.
You can probably get as much as you paid for it, but don't expect to find another one easily once it's gone. A baffle installed easily will make it act like a different stove. Connected to a 6 inch insulated chimney you'll be amazed.

 

[justart]

just wanted to share a picture of my latest papa bear restoration....

 

[BIGChrisNH]

just wanted to share a picture of my latest papa bear restoration....

View attachment 311970 View attachment 311971 View attachment 311972

That's a really good looking example, nicely done. I've always wanted a Fisher, even though I know they're not as efficient. Love the simplicity and reliability of them

 

[justart]

👍 thank you

 

[Jamiefire]

Just wondering if you can help me identify my newly acquired Fisher papa bear stove. I wrestled it out of my neighbors house and drug it across the lawn on my wife's lawn cart myself...what a beast of a stove! From what I have read it is an older model because of the solid metal knob and pipe cap air dampers. What I can find no information on nor photos of is a dial on the door under the letters "er" and between the fir trees. It has four holesand can be turned so that all 4 holes on the plate line up with holes in the door that appear to feed into some kind of diffuser plate on the back of the door...any idea on the age and this unique dial?

 

[coaly]

This is an added crude secondary combustion air intake. Not factory, as well as the welded handles on the pipe cap dampers.

The upper intake mixes air with smoke particles in the hope they will combust above the fire reducing smoke and creosote formation.

Without a glass door, this will be trial and error. About 500f stove top is the time to open it, and watch smoke.

 

[Jamiefire]

This is an added crude secondary combustion air intake. Not factory, as well as the welded handles on the pipe cap dampers.

The upper intake mixes air with smoke particles in the hope they will combust above the fire reducing smoke and creosote formation.

Without a glass door, this will be trial and error. About 500f stove top is the time to open it, and watch smoke.

Thanks much. I love my stove and it is fun that it has such a storied history. Any clue as to the year of manufacture?

 

[coaly]

Thanks much. I love my stove and it is fun that it has such a storied history. Any clue as to the year of manufacture?

If it was from Minnesota, 1975.

The first year ‘74 was all Oregon and Canada.

The licensee for MN was Roy Smith and Loren Trachsel, from Minneapolis. They were not welders, hiring the fabricator Self Suffiency which became Sierra Stove.

 

[Jamiefire]

If it was from Minnesota, 1975.

The first year ‘74 was all Oregon and Canada.

The licensee for MN was Roy Smith and Loren Trachsel, from Minneapolis. They were not welders, hiring the fabricator Self Suffiency which became Sierra Stove.

Very much appreciate and respect your knowledge....most likely from MN as that is where I am. It is in great shape and should last my lifetime! I will do some research. Refinished with my Viking fan on it.