Fairy No. 6 Potbelly Woodstove - Age? (Photos Fixed)

[talesofthesevenseas]

Hey gang, we picked up this great little Fairy Number 6 potbelly woodstove for use in our master bedroom which is in the addition attached to the stone house. It's in great shape, no deterioration, all doors and vents open smoothly and seal well, the grate is present inside and so is the cook lid on top. It has been painted on the exterior, hopefully in heat resistant paint. We will use it outdoors on the patio this summer first, to burn off any chemicals and identify any smokey leaks. Then we are planning to install a copper ceiling tile heat shield behind it, maybe slate or old brick underneath. We are hoping to have it installed by next winter. My question is how old is it? The dang thing looks practically brand new, but not so the others I see online.

[talesofthesevenseas]

Sorry about the photos, I was working from my phone. I've got 'em fixed now. I have looked all over and I can't find who makes this stove. There are multiple companies who made "Fairy" stove models.

[cogar]

It has been painted on the exterior, hopefully in heat resistant paint. We will use it outdoors on the patio this summer first, to burn off any chemicals and

Tales, … iffen you are actually going to use it then I suggest you save yourself a lot of time and trouble by using “paint remover” to strip all the paint off of it ….. then build a fire in it when you have it outside so as to burn off all the “paint remover” residue.

Next, rub down the exterior surface with’00’ steel wool ….. then apply a liberal coating of liquid “stove blacking” or “stove polish” paste ….. then rub it down good with an old tee-shirt … and it will still shine like a new penny after many fires are built in it. And if it gets a dull spot or a scratch, a little dab of ”polish” will fix it.
 

[cogar]

ps ….. this was my wood burning cookstove of many years ago.

I completely reconditioned it ….. and "stove blacking" is all that was used.

[mart]

I couldn`t tell if it was painted or a newer stove !!  Stove black is a wonderful product !!

[talesofthesevenseas]

Beautiful stove you had there! Is there any way to tell if they did this properly with stove blacking already?

[cogar]

My opinion about the stove, whoever cleaned it up, …. did it the quickest, ….. for a quick sale as a "decorator" item. Those small ones make for a great "fern stand", etc.

How to test for "stove blacking already".

Try a dab of paint remover on the inside of a leg or scratch it with a knife. Paint will dissolve or peel off.

 

[talesofthesevenseas]

OK great, will try the paint remover, I didn't know that blacking would not come off like paint. As mentioned, all the prep and trial burning will be done outside first. We have two parrots, so all these things have to be resolved before we try anything indoors. 

[mart]

Stove black is absorbed into the metal !!  Thats what preserves it and blocks  rust !!  Paint just sits on the top to make it look better !!  Although it does shed water/moisture !!

[talesofthesevenseas]

OK fingers crossed. This doesn't look like paint, but we shall know soon enough! I'll report back after we try a test spot.

[mart]

Will wait and see !!

[Pelady]

Advert for the Fairy A wood burning stove. 1920’s. Not your stove but similar.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1920-PAPER-AD-Fairy-A-Oak-Wood-Burning-Stove-Heater-Junior-Coal-Coke/152472608766?hash=item2380135ffe:g:DnoAAOSw2gxYyIAk

 I found a few things referring to the New York Stove Works that refer to a Fairy #7. I am not sure if New York stove works is a company or an area in New York with many stove companies.

https://m.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=186128874730712&story_fbid=899380173405575

Most potbelly stoves seem to be late 1800s to early 1900s. 
Why they have gone out of fashion https://www.burlingtonfireplace.com/blog/whatever-happened-to-pot-belly-stoves/

This is a list of antique stove restorers from old house journal online:

https://www.oldhouseonline.com/kitchens-and-baths-articles/directory-antique-appliance-restorers

Maybe if you sent them a picture they would have more knowledge on brands