When did they quit making these? Guy is asking a good amount. Maybe worth a look for a serious collector. Brand New Fisher Papa Bear wood burning stove
Hard to tell what he has without a pic in his ad. Not sure of what the value of a New Old Stock Fisher would be. I know I could rehab a solid used one for a lot less money and be very happy. There is something to be said for a museum piece, but I would think that would be for the Fisher with a sun burst on it.
First of all, He's "NUTS" to think he's going to get that price, new or not! If it were a "new XL" then maybe... Second, it is only 30" across the top it can't handle a 30" log, with the fire brick inside, at best a 24" log comfortably so this guy is either selling it for someone or he found it in a basement or barn. I have many Fishers and "Never" paid over $500.00 for one and that was my XL. The going rate for a Grandpa is about $400.00 They were only $465.00 new, depending if you got some extras, nickle doors, chrome ball feet etc. It'll sit unless someone "really" wants one.
July 1, 1988 was the end of production of Fisher as well as most all competitors at the time. The new EPA regulations became stricter in stages, that date being the last for manufacture of those that did not reduce particulate enough. Dave, he's selling a Papa Bear that takes a 30 inch log. Here's a new one in case no one has ever seen one . His ad states 3/8 which is incorrect since they were built with 1/4 steel plate with 5/16 thick top. Dec. 2013 unfired from Texas. Original paint, 1976 production year. Here's how to tell if they are unfired. The proof is inside; I start with a stove like that and polish the inside with Maas Metal Polish. It makes steel or cast iron gray like new again and welds polish up mirror bright. It leaves a protecting film to prevent further oxidation. Then I leave the door open in a humidity controlled environment.
Who the hell has the time or effort to "polish" the inside of a wood stove? What is "wrong" with the handle? And for the record, that ad sounds "real fishy"!
Um, I do. I should get you a picture, it's still decorated inside for Christmas. (the stove) You'll have that kind of time after you're retired for 10 years too. Nothing is wrong with the handle. That is the short original length (it looks shorter in the pic due to the spring being wound too far down it). That was the original length that used the chrome ball. This is what they looked like before installing in a door and bending inside. Built for this knob. You're used to the longer, newer version. Later they were bent. They are a dime a dozen; You need some?
If you really need proof that I polish the inside of my stoves.......... Here's a brand new XL inside. I wet them down with PB Blaster to loosen the surface rust and make the house smell good inside. (I love that stuff) BEFORE AFTER Notice the polish is dried in the corners and ready to remove with a Q-tip.
I wasn't talking about "you're" show piece my friend! I was talking about the general public... I think we got cross communicated somewhere. I was talking about the stove for sale...
that particular ad person has a bunch of old stoves listed- same with one down in Burlington, WI area- very health pricing ( creative?) ($$$$) by both. There has been a rash of old BK kings and Princess units this season on the WI Cl listings in the southern half of the state.
When I responded the first time I was thinking of the (Grandpa bear) and they were giving dimensions across. My mistake, I realized. Regardless, I still wouldn't pay that kind of $$$ for that stove.
Yeah, maybe $800 since it would be a Papa VI having a UL tag. And that's for a plated door. Black, no way. People ask ridiculous prices on craigslist all the time for these stoves. There's an Insert listed now in Oceanside NJ listed as a "Cast Iron", "Stove", "Freestanding or Insert" , "Heats 3000 sf." for $1000. It has no front enclosure plates, damper or damper control. The only thing they got right is it says Fisher on the door. And some spell it Fischer !! Sorry, it's a Sunday morning and I'm "judging".
Makes me wonder what people really get for these old Fishers...there is a Moma Bear on CL here...$900...nothing special...the guy keeps reposting the ad...since last October...wonder when reality sets in for these folks or if they just stick them in the back of the garage and forget about them.
I've seen "CRAZY" prices on Craigslist! Go look at eBay, it's worse! I've never paid over $300.00 for one "with the exception" of my XL, and that was only $500.00
Been there since October...I want to call him up and hear his sales pitch...I am thinking he is not a reasonable person..
If he knew it was a Papa he would be asking more ! Ironically he got the heating area right and doesn't know what model it is........ (Mama heats 1500) The front plate that shows space between door and angle iron makes it a Papa width. Mama uses the same door and the door is right up to the angle iron on the narrow Mama. And the Trademark spelling is MAMA. But they know how much it's worth. AND it's wiped down with stove black ! Yuck, what a mess that makes. That's for cast iron, water goes right through it, it is not impervious to water at all, silly. There has been a lot of "boiler plate" Fishers lately too.
