AUSTRALIA'S ORIGINAL AND BEST CAMP OVEN AND OUTDOOR COOKING CAMPING AND LIFESTYLE FORUM

Jan 18^th, 2009 at 6:04pm

poddy dodger Offline
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C C Harding & Sons. Ballarat. I have several of these beaut ovens, they came in odd number sizes, 9", 11", 13", 15" and 17" and so I've been told the foundry closed down in about 1999 as it didn't meet WorkCover regulations, it was old and had a poor safety record. The ovens are quite heavy and robust, they had good legs, rounded ears, nice lid and handle and a good but not perfect finish however they didn't come with a bail when new, you had to make your own.

I think the tourist site Sovereign Hill at Ballarat has the original Harding molds with the intention of using them at some stage and casting a run of Sovereign Hill souvenir ovens. They have already made a few, I saw them on sale at the camping shop in Echuca a couple of years ago but and they were very rough so I didn't buy one, now I wish I had as they would be a collectors item.

pd

When I die I hope my missus doesn't sell my camp ovens for what I told her I paid for them. pd

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Reply #1 - Jan 18^th, 2009 at 6:39pm

Saltbush Bill Offline
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PD do you have any idea of when the C C Harding & Sons foundry might have commenced making camp ovens?????
SBB

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Reply #2 - Jan 18^th, 2009 at 7:30pm

poddy dodger Offline
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No idea SB, but I'll ask around. They are not a common oven and my earlier post was my total knowledge about them.

pd

When I die I hope my missus doesn't sell my camp ovens for what I told her I paid for them. pd

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Reply #3 - Jan 19^th, 2009 at 7:32am

BillyBushCook Offline
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Notice the writting on the 17" models in the photo are marked "C HARDING"
I read somewhere on here that it has something to do with the Foundry changing hands within the family.
It could have been Astro or "The Furph" who brought it up.

Mick.

Live while your'e alive, you can sleep when your'e dead.

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Reply #4 - Jan 19^th, 2009 at 7:33am

Little_Kopit Offline
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I asked PD and he said, yeah if that's going to become the Harding Thread. So, here they are again PD Hardings:

& the PD Harding Album is here: http://picasaweb.google.com/poddydodger/PicsOfHardingPots?authkey=IpwIjebTWko&fe...

Undecided

My Photo Album, featuring Labrador 2006

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Reply #5 - Feb 6^th, 2009 at 8:02am

maloney Offline
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What would a 13" CC Harding be worth? I paid $40 for one at a swap meet and it is in real good condition. I dont want to get rid of it because it would probably be the only piece of aussie iron i would ever be able to get my hands on but would like to now its value.

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Reply #6 - Feb 6^th, 2009 at 8:52am

Mackerel Whisperer Offline
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maloney wrote on Feb 6^th, 2009 at 8:02am:

paid $40

I lot more then that maloney. Good buying!

I'm no expert on the Harding ovens but a few here are. I spose it depends how bad some one wants it. Sky's the limit.

Jono

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Reply #7 - Feb 6^th, 2009 at 11:47am

astroboy Offline
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They're only worth what people are prepared at the time. There's too much inconsistency with prices these day's to put an actual value on them. I bought a 13" Harding oven on ebay last year for $50, the last one that was listed on ebay sold for $142 and was possibly a copy.
So I think it poses a tricky question to put a value on some of these cast iron collectables.
Just my thoughts,
Astro

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Reply #8 - Feb 6^th, 2009 at 5:14pm

poddy dodger Offline
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Like Astro I bought a genuine 13" Harding last year, it had never been used and once I cleaned off the light surface rust it was as new. I was happy to pay $80 for it and don't think I overpaid so what's an oven worth ? That's up to you, the buyer.
I can and have walked away from some overpriced ovens I've seen in antique shops on my travels and I've given up buying on eBay however I now sell some of my "ordinary" ovens there.

pd

When I die I hope my missus doesn't sell my camp ovens for what I told her I paid for them. pd

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Reply #9 - Apr 9^th, 2009 at 9:08pm

Harding Son Offline
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Just a corrections to the post above.

The foundry was not closed down due to workcover or poor safety concern. It closed due to the retirement of the original son.

The foundry commenced operation in 1927. From memory we also made a larger oven in limited numbers. I think around 21".

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