Does anyone know when Simpson started making the Bedourie Camp Ovens?

I've searched the site and can't find the answer. If anyone has any history on them it would be appreciated.

Jeff

So no one has any info on the old Bedourie ovens? When they were made or stopped being made etc. :-/

Jeff

I have some info somewhere on A. Simpson & Son somewhere Jeff I will look for it over the weekend. They made a lot of stuff throughout the early 1900's including the bedouries.
Astro.

Hey thanks for that Astro. It would be really appreciated. I haven't been able to find anything out about them on the net.

I bought an old 14" Simpson Bedourie oven the other day as I thought it would be a good Aussie oven to have.

Jeff

And that it would Jeff can't wait to have a look , how are you feeling are you coming good yet

BGW71 wrote on Feb 21^st, 2014 at 5:08pm:

how are you feeling are you coming good yet

Worse today mate but but tomorrow is another day. :)

Jeff

Hold your head up old mate and think about the billmans foundry   :) :)

Chally wrote on Feb 21^st, 2014 at 2:59pm:

So no one has any info on the old Bedourie ovens? When they were made or stopped being made etc. :-/ Jeff

Bill Thompson, current maker of the Bedourie, did his apprenticeship at Simpson.  He has quite a bit of knowledge about them.

Give him a call.  Number on the website - http://southernmetalspinners.com.au/ ; He is always good for a yarn.

BGW71 wrote on Feb 21^st, 2014 at 6:21pm:

Hold your head up old mate and think about the billmans foundry

Yeah mate I'm looking forward to that alright. :)


Derek wrote on Feb 21^st, 2014 at 6:22pm:

Bill Thompson, current maker of the Bedourie, did his apprenticeship at Simpson.  He has quite a bit of knowledge about them. Give him a call.  Number on the website - http://southernmetalspinners.com.au/ ; He is always good for a yarn.

Thanks Derek, appreciated. I did read an old post of yours on here about Bill and had thought of giving him a call so I will do that I think. It would still be good to have any info the fellas on here might have though.

I really thought there would have been more info on Bedourie ovens on the web than what there is.

Jeff

Hey Chally , been reading the forum looking for posts where other fellow camp oven lovers ask if you are all right and could not find any . Very sorry if I am to strait to the point but hey if anyone else was down like you are I bet you would be one of the first to ask .A friend alone with a bit of respect goes along way when some one is down or isn't this that sort of forums  :-/ :-/ :-/

You have an advantage of knowing what's wrong with Jeff.

Now I was going to say HTFU or Toughen up Princess, but don't know if he has a Man-Flu or has suffered a stroke  :-/, so kept quiet.

So how about letting us know what's wrong Jeff so we can respond accordingly  :)

Ps. Has anyone suffered from Shingles?

We may be able to exchange some info on side-effects  ;)

Thank for your kind word honey, just wondering if you need a full medical report before you post any kind of  hey mate what's up are you having a bad day .  Maybe the post was full on and Jeff has had ago at me and to tone things down but hey I really think you see my point , and no I don't know the full history of what is wrong and I don't need to .

Ah crap just read the rest of your post and yes I have suffered from shingles

BGW71 wrote on Feb 22^nd, 2014 at 9:40pm:

Thank for your kind word honey, just wondering if you need a full medical report before you post any kind of  hey mate what's up are you having a bad day .  Maybe the post was full on and Jeff has had ago at me and to tone things down but hey I really think you see my point , and no I don't know the full history of what is wrong and I don't need to .

BGW71 wrote on Feb 22^nd, 2014 at 9:40pm:

Thank for your kind word honey, just wondering if you need a full medical report before you post any kind of  hey mate what's up are you having a bad day .  Maybe the post was full on and Jeff has had ago at me and to tone things down but hey I really think you see my point , and no I don't know the full history of what is wrong and I don't need to .

You bought the subject up, next time don't meddle in other people's affairs and stir up trouble. >:(

Isn't if funny how people think differently but hey get out of your bubble and talk to people in the little towns were you camp and ask about some of the stories about family love ones or friend that have done them selfs in and they all say I WISH I ASKED what was up or maybe they had family or friends with a terminal illness then they would tell you how they use to just drop in to lift there sprits just by saying g'day mate how are you going or maybe just maybe they where just having a bad few days with life in general and you a traveler has just picked them up when you stopped and said hi made there day . So If you think I am trouble making how about you look into my past and find out how much I have done for family's and there freinds or just a stranger I met when shearing around the country or maybe look past your ignorance and see it's not about stirring people up its about how much of a different it makes to take a little time . And trust me this is not about chally this is about life experiences .i know it's abit blunt and its not meant to be just open your eyes and ears as it does make a different to the people that need it . But hey what do I know I am only 43

Hey Fellas I think we should leave the above alone now huh. I know Brett and how he goes out of his way to help others and is very passionate about it. As I said to him I knew what he meant and appreciated his thoughts but his posts come across rather blunt. His intentions were good I can assure you.

I would appreciate it if we could now get back on topic which is trying to help me with finding out info on the old Bedourie ovens.  :)

Jeff

Chally did a little research on A. Simpson from Adelaide. His name came up a lot as an importer of many different things to do with his manufacturing business.
Not necessarily by him but camp ovens featured a lot in the ships cargo lists on the same voyages.
From what I can see camp ovens where imported by the hundreds in the mid 1800s.
Any idea what brand they were?

shackles wrote on Feb 23^rd, 2014 at 1:13pm:

From what I can see camp ovens where imported by the hundreds in the mid 1800s. Any idea what brand they were?

Thanks for your input Brian. I would say the camp ovens would have been Carron's, Falkirk's, and Etna's and any others that were made in England/Scotland. Some of the other fellas might know of other makes from over that way.

Jeff

Jeff, I have a  very ornately decorated 14" oven which has:
  "T Sheldon & Co Ltd. Wolverhampton. 14 Inch Camp Oven" and a circle of stars on the lid. It is the classic shape, long legs and very well cast considering it is nearly a century old.

Rob.

Thanks Rob. Some mighty fine old ovens came from the foundries over there alright. That is another make for you to add to the list Brian.

Jeff

Jeff

Are you looking for an old Simpson spun CO?

Aart

TBF wrote on Feb 24^th, 2014 at 5:27pm:

Jeff Are you looking for an old Simpson spun CO?

No Aart as I bought one a bit over a week ago now (still waiting for it to arrive). I was just trying to find out some history on them thanks.

In my searches on here I think I saw a photo of an old one you had?

Jeff

Hey Chally
Are you home for your trip yet ?   :D :D
Can't wait to see the old mans oven as I think it will be a good one I hope .

I found the information on A Simpson & Son Ltd but I'm having trouble scanning it to put on this post so I will persist to get it sorted. Here's a bit of a summary:
Alfred Simpson established a hardware store in Gawler Place in 1854 It was named. In the 1870s he had built a factory in Freeman St that was bounded by Pirie and Flinders St. During the 1880's the factory was described as having several different departments where skilled workers manufactured such things as:
bedsteads, safes, iron wares, ovens, galvanised wares, tin wares, buckets, enamel signs, brass & copper and iron wares and enamelled hollowware just to name a few. During this time they employed around 200 people so it was a fairly big operation during this period.

In my opinion the bedourie's could well date back to the late 1800's and looking at their pressed steel construction as opposed to the spun steel, I would say that it is more than likely. I also have a collection of quart pots that were made by Simpson as well having the same imprint on them.
Here's a few shots of the ones I own.Yu will notice that one is spun steel and the rest are pressed steel construction. They are a fantastic piece of Aussie history in my opinion so if you ever come across one make sure you jump at the chance to own one. And once more they are great to cook in.
http://i60.tinypic.com/2vtrvav.jpg
http://i62.tinypic.com/28lrxoz.jpg
http://i60.tinypic.com/ra59bk.jpg
http://i58.tinypic.com/22gxvt.jpg
http://i61.tinypic.com/2wnzcpk.jpg
http://i62.tinypic.com/28mizc8.jpg

Good information and great photos Dave, I have one Simpson Bedourie which is 14 inches across, Im yet to find the other sizes you have.
Like you Ive searched around the net at different times but have never come up with much more than what you have already posted.
Simpson did make a huge variety of gear through the years. My Mother had one of their washing machines back when I was a small boy. I believe it was purchased in very early 1960. It ran on 32 volts, which was a commonly used voltage back in those days. Mains power was yet to come to a lot of small bush towns and people living on stations back then. At that time very few 32V appliances could be bought so I guess Simpson had found a small alternative market there.
The only other electric appliance she owned from memory was a 32V Sunbeam Mixmaster.

Chally here are a couple of links that Ive come up with over the years on Simpson, not a lot in them that Dave hasn't already supplied but they may be of interest.
http://www.samemory.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=1103

http://www.auspostalhistory.com/articles/1690.php

Thanks Dave and Rory for the information and the photos. I have saved those links Rory.

It is great to see the photos of those old Simpson ovens. Those pressed one would be old and have some great history attached to them.

I was surprised by your comment Dave that the Simpson Bedourie ovens could date back to the late 1800's. I have no idea how old they would be but most information says the Bedourie oven was invented around 1920. I wish the history of such things had of been properly documented so we could know the real history.

I think it would be good to have those photos and the links put in the History forum if they aren't already (I didn't seem them in my searches).

Once again fellas thanks very much for your excellent input.

Jeff

This thread has me interested, just did a bit of snooping around and came across this.

"One of the first buildings built in Bedourie, the Mud Hut was erected in the early 1880s with mud collected from Eyre Creek. The only other buildings from that time still standing are the Royal Hotel, across the road, and the original Police Station, which now stands on Ethabuka Station.

In the early days Bedourie was used as a stopover for drovers pushing their cattle down to the markets in Adelaide. Cattle from all over North Queensland came through here, as the prices offered in Adelaide were often much more attractive to the wily station owners than those offered in Brisbane. It is believed that the Mud Hut may also have operated as a Cobb and Co rest-stop due to the remains of a horse yard found out back, and an old horse trough, found in the bed of the Eyre Creek.

At the end of the 1990s the Mud Hut passed into the possession of Sir Sidney Kidman - the Cattle King.

The Mud Hut was bought by Diamantina Shire Council in 2001 from Jean Smith, and has since been fully restored with most of the original timber replaced."

So from that it seems that the town it's self didn't spring up until the early 1880s, the question now is, how long after that was the first oven knocked up. And by whom and where? Im thinking Simpson only put the idea into mass production and that some local smithy or metal worker knocked the first ones out. News of an idea like a new type of oven would have taken time to travel back then. Or possibly a local of the area saw the potential of the idea and sent rough plans to Simpson to have them mass produced. All just possibilities and things to think about.

Chally wrote on Feb 25^th, 2014 at 7:51pm:

I wish the history of such things had of been properly documented so we could know the real history.

You and me both.
SBB

Saltbush Bill wrote on Feb 25^th, 2014 at 9:05pm:

So from that it seems that the town it's self didn't spring up until the early 1880s, the question now is, how long after that was the first oven knocked up. And by whom and where?

You have probably seen the following info from this link. http://www.diamantina.qld.gov.au/web/guest/bedourie-visitor-information-centre
"Bedourie is home of the famous Bedourie Camp Oven. Originally made by an itinerant tradesman tin-smith in Bedourie in the 1920’s by inverting a large billy can over a smaller one.  Today the Bedourie Camp Oven  is sold across Australia and around the world and can be purchased in Bedourie".

I wonder if that is local folklore or if there is any actual record of this somewhere???


Saltbush Bill wrote on Feb 25^th, 2014 at 9:05pm:

Im thinking Simpson only put the idea into mass production and that some local smithy or metal worker knocked the first ones out. News of an idea like a new type of oven would have taken time to travel back then. Or possibly a local of the area saw the potential of the idea and sent rough plans to Simpson to have them mass produced.

I think that both those scenarios sound quite feasible mate.

Jeff

Great read and photos, thanks for sharing them  :)

Well I finally got my Simpson Bedourie Camp Oven in the post yesterday. As you can see by the photos it is a spun steel one. It surprised me how big and heavy it was. It measures 15.5" across the lid and 14.5" across the base and weighs around 4kgs. It has some rust on the inside but should clean up ok. It came off an old property in Western NSW. I'm stoked to have gotten it. :)

The photos were just taken with our phone so aren't the best but at least they should show you what it looks like.

Jeff

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Nice one Jeff, they are few and far between. The museum at Morven (Qld) had a set, I don't know if they are still there.
Rob.

To me there is something special about the Bedourie style of camp oven.

Traditionally designed and made in Australia especially for Australian conditions.  In my mind the only traditional Australian camp oven.

My Bedourie (Dr Livingstone and not Simpson) is the first camp oven I ever bought.  This was after seeing someone roasting a chicken in what I then thought was a large tin can.  It is now thirty odd years old and I still use it.

For those unaware, Southern Metal Spinners in Adelaide now make the Dr Livingstone version of the Bedourie but these old treasures from Simpson are amazing.

Thanks everyone for the photos.  I am going to move this into the History section of the forum.

Ive just been reading a book called "Roping in the History of Broncoing"  In short a book on the history and techniques of how our Australian cattlemen roped and branded cattle, Yes I read some weird stuff at times. Or what may seem weird to some.
Anyway, One of the blokes credited with starting Broncoing off was a bloke by the name of H. Compton Trew , or just "Compie Trew"
It seems that Compie was a bit of a bush innovator.
Ive found the Chapter from the book on the internet, it makes for interesting reading if you are interested in the origins of the Bedourie Oven.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Thanks Rory.

Thanks for that mate. That is really interesting to me because the info comes from people who lived in the area and knew the man and what he had done. The reference in that Keith Willey's book would be worth finding also to see just what he had to say about the Bedourie ovens.

Jeff

It would be interesting to see what the other book says Derek, the one by Kieth Willey, "The Drovers"
I cant find anything much about it on line. If you see a copy best grab it.

Hey chally this might be of topic
Did you get to find out what the Simpson pan was you got on your trip?
Brett

BGW71 wrote on Jun 14^th, 2014 at 2:06pm:

Did you get to find out what the Simpson pan was you got on your trip?

Not as yet mate but I think it is a roasting pan. I will keep looking for any info on it. I will try and get a photo of it and post it up on here.

Jeff

Here's a photo of an 8 inch Simpson Bedourie that I picked up on the way to the Cessnock swap meet. I don't think there would be too many of these around, it's pictured next to a Furphy 8 inch bean pot that I traded with PD for a 15 inch Harding.
Astro.
http://i57.tinypic.com/120ozsh.jpg
http://i60.tinypic.com/spjjeo.jpg
http://i62.tinypic.com/28mcwlv.jpg

Wow very nice indeed well done 2 great ovens for your collection  :)

What a great old piece of Aussie history in that one.

Jeff

Hey folks,

I'm wanting to make some tinplate Bedourie camp ovens (for my own edification) and would love to make them in proper scale..  could I trouble someone for a couple of photos of a 12" and a 14" Simpson with a tape measure or ruler next to/beside the CO so I can do them justic..

Cheers

Bob

I know Astro (Dave) has a couple of the old tin Simpson ovens. If you look back a few pages in this post you will see them. If you send Dave a message he might measure them for you.

Rastas000 wrote on Jan 18^th, 2017 at 8:12am:

Hey folks, I'm wanting to make some tinplate Bedourie camp ovens (for my own edification) and would love to make them in proper scale..  could I trouble someone for a couple of photos of a 12" and a 14" Simpson with a tape measure or ruler next to/beside the CO so I can do them justic.. Cheers Bob

Bob, I've got the smaller one in my shed on the northside(Pine rivers) Its very rusty, that's how I got it. You are welcome to have it for a while to use as a reference. PM me if you are interested.

Aart

Thanks Aart..  PM sent..

I'll get one and then see if we want to go further..

R

From memory Dave has a set of about 4 -5 ..they all fit inside each other.
SBB

Check out the final reproduction..  made in the style of the very early flat metal items..

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1864438107147464&id=1392955430962403

The work was done by Tinkers World at Alderley in Brisbane.  I will clean it, season it better and do a cook on it soon.  We hope to cook on this at History Alive in June (Fort Lytton in Brisbane)..

Side by side image of the original Simpson Bedourie (loaned to me by Aart)

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It looks quite sweet, well loved and a delightful patina.

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When hooking the lid on and off, it feels very much like the original..

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This build type was very much inspired by the original image posed by Astroboy in reply #23 (Feb 25 2014) on this topic.

Quite amazing Bob.

For those still interested in some history here is a link on their origins "perhaps"

http://www.diamantina.qld.gov.au/documents/800087/55295096-da5d-4d21-92c4-6f4f820f783b

The image below for the relevant page in the event that link somehow gets removed or changed.

If you are ever in Bedourie, Bill Thompson told me that the local tourist people have had about 1000 little six inch Bedourie camp ovens made in China out of zincalume and are selling them as souvenirs.  Due to material they are very clearly marked not to be used as a cooking device.

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Nice job Rastas.

Aart

They would be a great project to make at sheet metal trade school.

I made similar items during my apprenticeship. Don't see tinsmans rivets used much these days.

Was that a love job, or paid for? A few hours work in that.

When are we going to start putting reproduction camp ovens in the "History Section"

Rufzgutz wrote on Mar 27^th, 2017 at 10:25pm:

They would be a great project to make at sheet metal trade school. I made similar items during my apprenticeship. Don't see tinsmans rivets used much these days. Was that a love job, or paid for? A few hours work in that.

This one was love job done for me by a close friend. 

I note you comment on tinsmans rivets with a wry smile.  They are indeed difficult to find these days, and Bec has a good supply of them now.. 

TBF wrote on Mar 27^th, 2017 at 6:46pm:

Nice job Rastas. Aart

I will get yours back to you soon.  It was a good template for the reproduction.  I'll bring it along for a coffee side chat!!

Rastas000 wrote on Apr 27^th, 2017 at 8:59am:

TBF wrote on Mar 27th, 2017 at 6:46pm: Nice job Rastas. Aart I will get yours back to you soon.  It was a good template for the reproduction.  I'll bring it along for a coffee side chat!!

Call first Bob..out and about till next wednesday.