Just got off the phone to a lady who has a 12" Metters for sale in good nic for $85, trouble is it is nearly 5hrs drive from here (yes Muzz keep guessing which direction ;D ;D ;D)
So it looks like the family & I are off for a little drive tomorow!!! :) :) :) :)
will post when I get back!!!!
Mick.

Know how you feel Billy. I've got a ten inch c/o on the way from my dad who used to use it when he was ringing (which is not for over 40 years or so now) a mate picked it up and is bringing it up for me on Wednesday, but I'm not sure of any stamping or what brand it is. Probably a no-name thing but I'm still like a little kid waiting for Christmas.
::) ;D
Robbo

Well!!! what a day I've had, an 8hr drive with the family, it was worth it!!!
Picked up a nice little Metters 12" with accessories, can any one tell me if this is an original set, the bails, both fixed & jointed have the same apossed bends in them, note the R/H hook is turned down & the L/H hook is turned up & even the chain links & hook of the tripod are hand forged,
The only suss, bit is a little bit of GAL, on the fixed bail.
They will make great feature pieces behind the bar, pinned against a laquered hardwood wall!!! (the accessories that is not the oven)
but I don't think it will get carted around on camping trips, just at home!

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee104/billybushcook/12inchMetters003.jpg

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee104/billybushcook/12inchMetters004.jpg

Still seasoned?????? ::) ::) ::)

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee104/billybushcook/12inchMetters005.jpg

After a few minutes in the bead blaster.

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee104/billybushcook/12inchMetters006.jpg

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee104/billybushcook/12inchMetters010.jpg

While I was there I came across this out the back & she was quick to say "that's not for sale".

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee104/billybushcook/12inchMetters001.jpg

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee104/billybushcook/12inchMetters002.jpg

Happy Hunting!!!!
Mick.

Can understand why your excited BBC. An outstanding find.
Well done
regards Skip

$85 the lot...& the fuel was sponsered, can't complain about that!!

Very very nice.

Good score Mick

Not sure about the bails, but the Metters 10 I inherited off my old man has only ever had a bit of about 5mm electricity wire for a handle since we've owned it. This may be the reason, they look like they would be easy to loose. Bargain Buy. Dunno about your misses but mine couldn't comprehend me driving a 7 hr trip to buy a camp oven, She thinks I'm crazy ;D Probably am ;D ;D

Cheers

Jono

the bails would explain why I have never seen two metters ovens with the same handle. I just thought I was going mad. Very nice pickup.

shane

So do you think they might be a set from the foundry or a set made up by a black smith at some latter stage???

Any ideas as to the vintage.....any one????

Mick.

gday mick, I have seen a Metters CO advertised with original handle and it was the same as the one peice one with the hooks facing different ways that you have. At the time I thought it was just a gimmic and didnt take too much notice. As for the other handle with the ring in the middle it looks to me as it is made to fit all different size ovens so its probably one made up from the foundry so people had to only use one for all their ovens. just my thoughts anyway. as for aging it, I think astroboy is one of our resident metters fanatics so I would give him a try.

shane

Thanks Dunga, thats encouraging because all the accessories look like they are made by the same smithy, with pointed ends & hand forged rings etc,

Mick,

I don't think that Metters made handles for any of their ovens, I reckon that any that any handles were made after the fact. A forge was pretty common place back then and I've seen a lot of different styles and types of handles but never any two the same. Here's a pic of a very well made bail arm from a 13" Metters same set up with the reversable hooks. It's very similar to the one's found on the fountain boilers, maybe even that one was converted from an old fountain.
Astro.

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/8056/bailarmrc9.jpg

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/9310/bailarm001sz5.jpg

Seems to be a big "coincidence" that they all have apposing hooks though if they were made by different independant smithy's??

Mick.

Mick, any of the boilers or fountains i've seen use the same technique to attach their handles as well, regardless of the maker. It was probably a common way to attach them, used buy any foundry or any backyard blacky.
Astro.

First go at seasoning the Metters.

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee104/billybushcook/S4200052.jpg

G'day Mick,
              what's that wedding anniversary business scribed onto the bench the '04 bit is a bit of a worry mate you've missed 4 years worth ;D - oven looks good.

All the best
Skip

There's noth'n wrong with that good eye is there ya bastard!!!! ;D ;D ;D

yeh mate, married for four years now & neither of us remembered the anniversary this year!!

Mick.

If your gunna be a bear Mick be a grizzly! Yep only one but it's a beauty.

Regards Skip