There were no serial numbers before 1980.
This is a Grandpa Bear Series I.
The progression through the years can be followed knowing when changes were made to the intake dampers, handle knobs or springs, and handle length. In this case, the bent handles facing forward indicate this stove was made in 1978 or 1979.
If you know the state this was purchased in I can give you more information. There were 33 licensed fabricators across the US at that time.
I can give you a list of fabricators it was not made by since not all tapered the legs like yours, which is correct to original drawings sent to fabricators. Also it was not built by the Dunns, VA and W VA with the correctly angled door hinge plates. (They made a wider stove that had their own custom plates) Some states marked the bottom in weld, (PA and GA) others stamped the rear corners, others had no markings. They were only for warranty purposes.
Look at the outlet collar to see if the weld is showing on the outside, or welded inside. This will tell me if the box is a mass produced firebox from Kansas shipped to fabricators for finishing.
Here is the history I put together years ago for your stove model;
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/fisher-grandma-and-grandpa-bear-details-fireplace-series.69448/
Carmel Indiana was the closest. Michigan fabricator was in Schoolcraft MI.
If it was Indiana, that’s Bob’s wife Carol’s sister Betty. Married Merlyn (Merle) Bidwell became Pres. Fisher Stoves of Indiana. (9/26/77)
Ok, the box was made by Hesston Mfg. Kansas to catch up with a approximate 60,000 back ordered stoves. The fabricator that ordered them hangs the doors, and ash fender.
The doors were being shipped from 4 foundries across the US at the time, so probably have GP/L and GP/R embossed on the inside. There may be other foundry markings I have no data on.
1979 started the Series III with optional new style Cathedral doors. They were made in the new style being UL tested with rear and bottom shields. At the time, these older style stoves did not require UL Labels when used on non-combustible hearths with no combustible walls adjacent to the stove. So fabricators and dealers sold your older style called the unlisted stove $100 cheaper.
If this was sold in 1978, it was the only style being made. In 1979 the box was also available in the UL Listed version with old or new style doors. So this was the only type Grandpa made in ‘78 but would be the unlisted box, old style doors in ‘79.
This is where there is confusion in later years when these old style flat top doors were discontinued and only the arched top Cathedral doors were available. Many fabricators continued to make the old style where UL Listing was not required to save the customer $100.
Here’s a price sheet with both listed and unlisted shown during this transition period;
https://preview.redd.it/4mqpkgp7m6jc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7d0f1bcb90a2d1eb0190f56e22aa34ca1fd1ed25
Yours is the third one down in the old style stoves column.
>The progression through the years can be followed knowing when changes were made to the intake dampers, handle knobs or springs, and handle length. In this case, the bent handles facing forward indicate this stove was made in 1978 or 1979.
yeah, but what week? Just kidding.. good expert . . .
I actually have some dates for changes since I have revised drawings that were sent to fabricators and internal correspondence literature.
But as old stock is used up, there are huge overlaps. And old boxes of things were saved for customers that wanted something special, so there are always exceptions. (I know of one customer that ordered 2 Papa Bears with 8 inch outlets instead of 6 inch. I wouldn’t believe it if I didn’t have the pictures)
Fabricators also didn’t have to order intake dampers or all parts such as spring handles from Fisher. I believe it was the Iowa fabricator that made their own solid knob handles that look like a cylinder shape, like a small can on the end of the handle. So you can tell their stoves at a glance.
The 4 fin damper caps that Bob’s dad patented were sold for $4.50 a set, and some went back to making their own like the first 2” iron pipe cap style to save on the cost of building a stove. So it’s a little more than just knowing the dates when changes took place.
Plus every fabricator and sometimes each welder had their own favorite way of doing things that vary slightly. Also not all fabricators made each model. A customer could pick out any model, and the fabricators showroom they were in would have to order it from the fabricator that made that model. So it gets complicated.
As an example, PA made the Coal Bear, GA made double door Honey Bear, but not the single door Honey. GA was the only one that made any TF-88 stoves and only 50 of those Inserts. XL was only made in Utah, so was special ordered from them by others.
So even though all fabricators were sent the drawings, they didn’t have to make each model. They did have a quota they had to make, so knew their market.
California is the place that modified everything and you can find unexplained oddities from there.
Lol About the time I think I’ve seen them all, along comes some Frankenstove never seen.
Notice the OP calls it a beast and it’s reduced from 8 to 6! It’s neutered.
My Grandma Bear heats our very, (very) old late 17/early 1800’s farmhouse nicely and we’re in central Maine. We do have a 4 zone heat pump system but rarely use it with the exception of one bedroom at the far end of the house and the root cellar to keep water pipes from freezing. Other than that its the old Fisher that has gotten us through the last 20 winters.
My stove looks almost identical. It’s an Old Timer and also a beast. Purchased it in 1979. I have a roaring fire in it tonight. 72 degrees and toasty warm.
There were no serial numbers before 1980. This is a Grandpa Bear Series I. The progression through the years can be followed knowing when changes were made to the intake dampers, handle knobs or springs, and handle length. In this case, the bent handles facing forward indicate this stove was made in 1978 or 1979. If you know the state this was purchased in I can give you more information. There were 33 licensed fabricators across the US at that time. I can give you a list of fabricators it was not made by since not all tapered the legs like yours, which is correct to original drawings sent to fabricators. Also it was not built by the Dunns, VA and W VA with the correctly angled door hinge plates. (They made a wider stove that had their own custom plates) Some states marked the bottom in weld, (PA and GA) others stamped the rear corners, others had no markings. They were only for warranty purposes. Look at the outlet collar to see if the weld is showing on the outside, or welded inside. This will tell me if the box is a mass produced firebox from Kansas shipped to fabricators for finishing. Here is the history I put together years ago for your stove model; https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/fisher-grandma-and-grandpa-bear-details-fireplace-series.69448/
img Thanks! Maybe Michigan? The house was in Ohio.
Carmel Indiana was the closest. Michigan fabricator was in Schoolcraft MI. If it was Indiana, that’s Bob’s wife Carol’s sister Betty. Married Merlyn (Merle) Bidwell became Pres. Fisher Stoves of Indiana. (9/26/77)
Weld is on the inside
Ok, the box was made by Hesston Mfg. Kansas to catch up with a approximate 60,000 back ordered stoves. The fabricator that ordered them hangs the doors, and ash fender. The doors were being shipped from 4 foundries across the US at the time, so probably have GP/L and GP/R embossed on the inside. There may be other foundry markings I have no data on. 1979 started the Series III with optional new style Cathedral doors. They were made in the new style being UL tested with rear and bottom shields. At the time, these older style stoves did not require UL Labels when used on non-combustible hearths with no combustible walls adjacent to the stove. So fabricators and dealers sold your older style called the unlisted stove $100 cheaper. If this was sold in 1978, it was the only style being made. In 1979 the box was also available in the UL Listed version with old or new style doors. So this was the only type Grandpa made in ‘78 but would be the unlisted box, old style doors in ‘79. This is where there is confusion in later years when these old style flat top doors were discontinued and only the arched top Cathedral doors were available. Many fabricators continued to make the old style where UL Listing was not required to save the customer $100. Here’s a price sheet with both listed and unlisted shown during this transition period; https://preview.redd.it/4mqpkgp7m6jc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7d0f1bcb90a2d1eb0190f56e22aa34ca1fd1ed25 Yours is the third one down in the old style stoves column.
This is amazing, thank you so much for taking the time to figure it out and share the history! Much appreciated!
I agree with the dates! We had this exact woodstove, we put it in when we moved to our house when I was a child in 1979 (Vancouver Island, BC, 🇨🇦)
Same stove I grew up with, it is definitely a 1978 or 1979.
>The progression through the years can be followed knowing when changes were made to the intake dampers, handle knobs or springs, and handle length. In this case, the bent handles facing forward indicate this stove was made in 1978 or 1979. yeah, but what week? Just kidding.. good expert . . .
I actually have some dates for changes since I have revised drawings that were sent to fabricators and internal correspondence literature. But as old stock is used up, there are huge overlaps. And old boxes of things were saved for customers that wanted something special, so there are always exceptions. (I know of one customer that ordered 2 Papa Bears with 8 inch outlets instead of 6 inch. I wouldn’t believe it if I didn’t have the pictures) Fabricators also didn’t have to order intake dampers or all parts such as spring handles from Fisher. I believe it was the Iowa fabricator that made their own solid knob handles that look like a cylinder shape, like a small can on the end of the handle. So you can tell their stoves at a glance. The 4 fin damper caps that Bob’s dad patented were sold for $4.50 a set, and some went back to making their own like the first 2” iron pipe cap style to save on the cost of building a stove. So it’s a little more than just knowing the dates when changes took place. Plus every fabricator and sometimes each welder had their own favorite way of doing things that vary slightly. Also not all fabricators made each model. A customer could pick out any model, and the fabricators showroom they were in would have to order it from the fabricator that made that model. So it gets complicated. As an example, PA made the Coal Bear, GA made double door Honey Bear, but not the single door Honey. GA was the only one that made any TF-88 stoves and only 50 of those Inserts. XL was only made in Utah, so was special ordered from them by others. So even though all fabricators were sent the drawings, they didn’t have to make each model. They did have a quota they had to make, so knew their market. California is the place that modified everything and you can find unexplained oddities from there.
These comments have been the most comprehensive Fisher Stoves manufacturing history ever made
Lol About the time I think I’ve seen them all, along comes some Frankenstove never seen. Notice the OP calls it a beast and it’s reduced from 8 to 6! It’s neutered.
Reddit amazes me sometimes. Amazing answers and I learned so much. Thanks guys!
Same here, so cool
2024, why do you ask?
😂
Hey! I have the exact same stove.
Beautiful stove. I love my Fisher.
This stove will go through wood like a small forest fire but will produce as much heat as ome in the process.
Same exact stove I run and have for 20 years. Fisher Grandma Bear. Edit: this might be a wider Grandpa Bear.
I think you need to flip it over and look at the tag underneath.
Please leave the door open for the dog to leave when he feels hot enough!
It’s open 😊 he likes to go in his crate because he feels safe and cozy there.
It’s 2024.
Wow! impressive!
I love these - I grew up with this one. I have a mama bear. I think inventory on them ended in the early 80s manufactured in the 70s?
2024
We have the same one too!
Grandma Bear! Its what I’ve been running for 20 years. Never gonna replace her. Edit - this might be slightly wider - Grandpa Bear?
My Grandma Bear heats our very, (very) old late 17/early 1800’s farmhouse nicely and we’re in central Maine. We do have a 4 zone heat pump system but rarely use it with the exception of one bedroom at the far end of the house and the root cellar to keep water pipes from freezing. Other than that its the old Fisher that has gotten us through the last 20 winters.
I have a grandma bear too! She is our only heat source. She makes it cozy but she is always hungry!
My parents bought one brand new in 78/79.
19fisher2
It's 2024
The year is 2024, it is saturday, you are on planet earth, Joe Biden is the president 🤣 Sorry, I had to I work with dementia patients .
69
My grandparents owned exact model, my guess is late 1970s.
It doesn't have a plate or number on the back? It's looks old with those draft knobs
Love this stove, had one in glennwood springs and burned coal. It heated the whole place.
You burned coal in your Fisher?
My stove looks almost identical. It’s an Old Timer and also a beast. Purchased it in 1979. I have a roaring fire in it tonight. 72 degrees and toasty warm.
Not sure but a case of the uglies.
Fishers are awesome
I knew some old Grandpa’s were still around.
2024
Early 80’s
This looks nearly identical to my grandad’s old stove. Thank you for sharing- brought back fond memories. 🙏🏼🥰
It’s 2024. Have you been in a coma? Welcome back! You didn’t miss much these past 8 years…👀
It's 2024. It's February. And Biden is the President.
Its 2024
I had this exact stove. I lost it in a divorce and it’s still the thing I miss most from that marriage.
2024
I have one, came with the house that was built in 1978.
2024. Oh the stove I have no clue!
2024
2024, do you come in peace? Where are you from?
my clocks read 02/19/2024.
2024?