Thanks for taking time to read this.  I'd like to put together a set of high quality, original Furphy camp ovens - preferably in the 10 to 15 inch range.  Must have some means of authentication e.g. box or brochure.

It's easy to pick the original made in Oz Furphy's from the Chinese made ones Chris but even the Australian ones vary and I don't know that the early Furphy's came with a box or brochure.

I have some genuine old Furphy's made by the Kangaroo Stove Company in Victoria which are very different, they have " Furphy, Vic" on the lid and a kangaroo and KSC on the base, have you seen any of those ? They have a flanged lid which sits down outside the rim of the pot making it almost airtight.

pd

Hi Chris and welcome to the forum.

What do you call original and what price are you prepared to pay????

I, like many others are interested in how to authenticate Furphy camp ovens as being original.

Here is the box that my 15" Furphy came in.  I no longer have it though.

http://www.aussiecampovencook.com/Camp%20Ovens/Furphy%20Box.JPG

As you can see from the photo below it was made in 1989 as embossed on the lid.

http://www.aussiecampovencook.com/My%20Furphy.JPG

I think that there are certainly many Furphys built well before that and that brings me to another question.  When did Furphy start making camp ovens??? I believe they started getting them made in China around 2000.

Attached photo is of my Furphy 12" but I am no longer convinced that it was made at the Furphy Foundry.


Derek

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Hi Dereck/ pd

Many thanks for the prompt reply.  By original, I mean made in Oz.  The earlier the date of manufacture, the better.  I agree, authentication is difficult.  Enthusiasts such as your yourselves are likely to be able to identify an original by appearance.  But packaging or other documentation such as information tags and sales dockets, adds to value/ provenance.

I'm reluctant to discuss prices in this forum but am happy to pay fair value.  Authentication material always makes the value 'more fair'.

From your replies I'm not sure if you're interested in selling?  If you are, send info to chriswium@gmail.com.  Photos are preferable.  Thanks again.

Chris

Chris, that's something we've talked about on COCIA before, the fact that Furphy still put "Shepparton" on their lids, many people will still argue with you that they are made there.
As far as provenance goes, nearly all my old pots were bought second or third or forth hand mostly in a poor condition, painted, rusted or half full of the burnt remains of the last meal they cooked many years ago, provenance  ??  You might be lucky, no disrespect.

pd

Many thanks for the feedback.  As I suspected, it's going to be difficult to authenticate the item by means of accompanying documentation.  Do you know of a reference/ text that describes authentic Oz made, pre-1990 camp ovens?  Ideally with drawings/ photos as well?

Chris

We attempted to set up a picture record of some sort on COCIA Chris to identify different makes and the little changes Foundry's made over the years which date them but without success, there isn't a book to my knowledge.
As Derek said Furphy's went offshore about ten years ago, C C Harding closed down like all the other foundry's with the exception of Billmans and it is about this time I started collecting them. I can tell you from personal experience that they are becoming scarcer and more expensive, a few turn up on eBay but other than the occasional one at a  market or clearing sales they are few and far between.
I have heard rumours of people owning full sets of Furphy's but when I chase them down they turn out to be just that, rumours.

pd

What you are looking for is right alongside that shovel full of rocking horse manure...
It bloody hard to find.

Aart