Posted 2 years ago
Manatee243
(1 item)
Hi everyone. I'm brand new here and looking for some insight possibly into this Vintage Montgomery Ward Cast Iron Stove that I know absolutely nothing about.
It's lived in my parent's wood shed since they moved in (it came with the place). I'm hoping someone can tell me more about it or tell me where to go to get more info?
I'm assuming it's a wood burning stove…. wondering approximately how old it is, whether the red color is original or no, if it appears to be in good condition or no, how to tell if it will works or not, and any other information you might have on it.
Thank you in advance!
I’m a fan of wood burning stoves but not a fan of painting them. Maybe the paint at least prevented rust while it was stored.
That’s especially nice that it came with the house!
There’s probably plenty of info online about how to use a wood stove. I advise you to consult a wood stove dealer/installer in your area to make sure you get it safely hooked up….they would probably teach you in person to safely use it.
Welcome to CW!
Hi, Manatee243. :-)
This stove caught my eye, probably because of the color. It might be a trick of photography, but it struck me as not so much red as shocking pink.
Anyway, in looking around, I found another of the same MW model number (although it lacks that little circular 'vent' yours has):
*snip*
Montgomery Ward & Co cast iron coal fired stove. 4 burner cast iron stove #84AJ-5200A. Stove appears to have never been used! Has all four covers, heat deflector and grates. Embossed Montgomery Ward & Co. 84AJ-5200A.Measures 19.25 x 23 deep x 21.5 tall
*snip*
https://www.auctionguide.com/lot/montgomery-ward-co-coal-stove/87115/124/
What I found in looking at vintage stoves of similar proportions is that they're characterized as "laundry stoves," e.g.:
https://coalpail.com/coal-forum/download/file.php?id=102025
Some explanation:
*snip*
Sunny Boy wrote: ?
Sat. Mar. 21, 2020 10:37 am
NS, I think you misunderstood. No one is saying these large topped laundry stoves are meant to be used as an ironing board. Way too hot !!! :D
They are small firepot stoves- only meant to run for a few hours yet be small enough to move - with a large top to spread the heat out for large containers of water. Very purpose built type of stoves that don't work as well for other chores - including doing the actual washing on the stove. Laundry stoves are a bit too tall for most women of the day to use a wash board set in a tub big enough for that purpose. They are almost as tall as kitchen ranges of the day. Likely why some people think they are just small cook stoves, instead of their small stove cousins, the lower height canning stoves.
The actual wash tubs would have been set up on a low bench that is more stable than the stoves. The sideways scrubbing action of using a wash board, and having water sloshing back and forth, would likely tip the narrow based laundry stoves over. And trying to use a clothes ringer hung on the side of a rinse tub sitting on a stove, would also be risky.
Paul
*snip*
https://coalpail.com/coal-forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=49306&start=15
The other thing I found over and over is that they were never painted.
You can buy similar-looking stoves to this day; however, they're no longer described as laundry stoves (thank heavens for modern laundry appliances), e.g.:
https://www.usstove.com/coal-stoves-and-circulators/coal-stoves/the-rancher/
I am in agreement with Keramikos about the color: it does look more like shocking pink than red.