To Top

Hand Crank Heater 796-A by Stewart Warner

February 9, 2009 • CATEGORIES: GPW (Ford MB), MB • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
70

UPDATE:  Here’s a post of a Ypsilanti Machine and Tool Company Hand Crank Heater

UPDATE:  I’ve posted pics of Dennis’ hand crank heater here.  Here’s another from Nathalie.

UPDATE:  Here’s a video of a Stewart Warner Heater in action.

ORIGINAL POST:  I was at Josh’s when I spotted an odd device I didn’t recognize.  When I asked what it was used for, he explained it and then offered to send images of similar heaters along with a couple brochure images.  Cool stuff!

796-a-2-1

796-a-1

Pics of actual heaters on full post page ….

hpim2946

hpim2947

hpim2948-1

hpim2949-1

hpim2950

====================

IMAGES of J.R.’s Hand Crank Heater:

Fb-Button
 

70 Comments on “Hand Crank Heater 796-A by Stewart Warner”

  1. Dennis Gelean

    was the sw 796-a-1 heater used in ww2? Korea?
    How rare is rare? What year span would the heater be, I noticed repaired in 1951
    Mine is in transit home, because it seems to be very cold 7 months of the year
    trucks and uniforms are all winterized
    dennis

    Reply ↓
  2. deilers

    Hi Dennis,

    I’ve forwarded your question to Joshua who knows more about this than I. He did say it was used during WW2, however it became more frequently used in planes rather than jeeps.

    How rare is rare? Well, I had never seen one nor heard of one before. My searches to find information about in on the net were unsuccessful. My sense is that if you wanted to purchase one of these it would be very difficult to find for sale.

    Thanks,

    – Dave

    Reply ↓
  3. deilers

    I got additional information from Joshua.

    He writes, “They were issued from WW2 thru Korea, mainly to aviation units. As far as rare goes all I know is that Dennis has the third one including mine that I know about. The third one is in the Warhawk Museum in Nampa (Idaho). Next time I stop there I plan to ask if they have a manual (would really like to find one) or any other info. Dennis, can you send Dave some pics when you get it? Do you have any history on his? I did try searching the history of my heater since it has the markings down to the soldiers names. I tried here http://www.koreanwar.org/html/units/usaf/feamcom.htm but didn’t get a response. I’m curious about the trip my little heater and many of my historical projects have taken.”

    – Dave

    Reply ↓
  7. Joshua Roach

    I paid around $100 for mine including shipping from PA. Personally think I got a great conversation piece to display with my willys mb and a good deal. Maybe Dennis can help you out more with what he paid. A good test would to be to put it on ebay with or with out a reserve.
    Let me know if you do sell. I have a couple of friends that have seen mine and would be interested. Do you have the tube with yours? If it has the tube I would certainly be interested myself.
    -Josh

    Reply ↓
  9. Brent

    i have a 796 a hand crank heater that I found at the local land fill about ten years ago,and was wondering where it came from? and also what its worth. I live in a small town of Glasgow Mt.and the only thing I can think of it coming from is the old airbase.So any information on this neat relic of yesteryear would be much appreciateed.

    Reply ↓
  10. deilers

    Hi Brent,

    All of what I know about these heater is contained in the post and in these comments. As I have learned from Joshua, these were used in old planes, so the airbase connection would make sense.

    So far, there are four that we know of:

    Dennis has one
    Joshua has one
    Brent has one
    And the Airhawk museum in Nampa has one.

    – Dave

    Reply ↓
  11. Dennis Gelean

    Hi Randy and Brent, that makes 5, For now I have made a tube from metal flex hose and the adaptor
    was made by OK tire muffler shop.(free I am a good customer) where do you light the heater? the handles (grips) will be from 2 old tea kettles.
    Mine was from a friend, he actually bought it back and sent it to me as a gift. No $ value known
    I sent a collectable salmon plug to the bob that sold it back to my friend.

    Reply ↓
  13. Jim

    Hi Guys, I also have one, I would say that mine came from USAF base @ Burtonwood, England. I am still playing about with it to get it going

    Reply ↓
  15. Dennis Gelean

    Hi Jim Now we have 6 Mine is now working and can be used this winter, I dumped the old residual from the tank. put some gas in the tank. turned the gas on. when you crank the handle this feeds the gas. light it and the faster you crank the more gas is pumped, without the hose it is a neat flame thrower. I was thinking too complicated not much to go wrong, Dennis

    Reply ↓
  16. joe

    Hi my name is Joe been trying to find out about this heater since i got it off a guy that i work with. finnly got it working. If any body knows the real value or any more info. of this heater please email , d88wins@att.net , Joe

    Reply ↓
  17. deilers

    I’m happy to see these heaters are continuing to slowly pop up. Would it be helpful to anyone to create a short video about how these work? I think I’d need to borrow Joshua and his heater to do it … Just a thought.

    – Dave

    Reply ↓
  18. joe

    joe

    Helo every body I took my heater to the antique roadshow that came to town last week to see if i could find out a little bit more about it or a value . and they took pictures and sent them to their buyers data base. and got no respones on it.

    Reply ↓

  20. Pingback: Pictures: A handcrank heater and M37 | eWillys

  21. Pingback: Dennis’ Hand Crank Heater 796-A by Stewart Warner | eWillys

  22. Dennis Gelean

    Hi Besides display, my heater will be used, burned up one air cleaner already.
    The Antlers on the shed are Mountain Caribou (Artsey M37 picture)
    Add Canada to the list. I live just below Hudson Bay Glacier near Smithers British Columbia
    US of A, UK, Cdn. I enjoy this site, Thanks

    Reply ↓
  23. Craig Weisner

    Hi. I have one of these in working condition that came from a friend of mine. Another friend of mine saw it and knew what it was. He was in the Army Air Force in England in WWII. He said they had used them to heat all sorts of Equipment in WWII and had also used them to take the chill out of hangers and large tents (and probably a dozen other places a open flame heater should not have been used). Mine has a ORD number on the operating instruction plate that dates the instructions to 1942, so they must have been around since the early part of the war.

    Reply ↓
  28. Dan Coudriet

    Hey I was looken on the internet to see what it was I had and I found this info. Its been in our building for years. thanks for the info.
    Dan

    Reply ↓
  29. deilers Post author

    Hi Dan,

    That’s great news. I do believe this thread is the center of the universe for Stewart Heaters. If you have any pics, we’d love to see them. You can send them to me at d@ewilly.com and I can add them to this thread.

    Thanks,

    – Dave

    Reply ↓
  30. Mark

    Just purchased a working SW 796-A for my HT display .. plan on making a hose and was wondering what that adaptor looked like that was made by the muffler shop .. Picture copy of that adaptor possible? Appreciate the publication in the thread as it’s the only data I’ve found on these very interesting heaters. The Army went to an immersion heater that was inserted into a tube next to the radiator on certain Arctic vehicles in the 70s and 80’s to preheat them for duty… That heater had a glow plug system that used gas and a spark plug

    Reply ↓
  31. Dennis Gelean

    Hi Mark just click on the update art the top of this page. the picture of the flex hose was from NAPA
    parts supplier,I believe they are in the US of A as well as here in Canada, the adaptor was a standard muffler part, any muffler shop can provide, see picture. Next to make is a better locking devise rather than a press fit. hope this helps..Dennis

    Reply ↓
  32. Brad Hodgson

    I have had one of those heaters for a number of years now. I recently came across wile cleaning out my barn. I have never tried to light it as I didn’t know its use untill now. I will be getting a hose made soon. Thanks all.

    Brad

    Reply ↓
  34. Larry

    hi, i have in my possession a model …796-A hand crank heater, serial number 31.. weight 16 lbs,40,000btu at 120rpm,,manufactured by stewart warner, heater division, chicago ill. u.s.a. …… also stamped is i believe to be year of manufacture number… 472456-10-42.. it is in excellent condition with org paint and all parts org . i aquired it when i was cleaning out mydeceased Dad’s barn..he was in WW2 ..i have no use for it, and would hope like i read here that a ”willys jeep aficado would like for a collection or working ?? please contact me at …. larryv@vianet.ca i am in ontario canada.. the color is a sort of green,and or grey mix ?? but is org

    Reply ↓
  35. Larry

    hi again. i may have the hose set up for this unit also, and will look within a few days at the cottage..i do think he was using it for a ventiliation duct of some kind ??? remember it sort of looks like in the picture here, with attaching to jeep …. this heater unit has no rust or dust to it either, it was in a wooden box, along which looks like a ”service book” for a vehicle that data was keep on…. God bless Canada, and America..our men keeps us safe, our hearts alway’s remember

    Reply ↓
  36. Larry

    hi again. i may have the hose set up for this unit also, and will look within a few days at the cottage..i do think he was using it for a ventiliation duct of some kind ??? remember it sort of looks like in the picture here, with attaching to jeep …. this heater unit has no rust or dust to it either, it was in a wooden box, along which looks like a ”service book” for a vehicle that data was keep on…. God bless Canada, and America..our men and women troops keeps us safe, our hearts alway’s remember

    Reply ↓
  37. deilers Post author

    HI Larry,

    Thanks for the note. I’m sorry to hear about your father.

    I’ll let some other readers know you have it and that you hope it finds the right home.

    Warmest Regards,

    – Dave

    Reply ↓
  38. Mark

    Larry, sorry to hear about your loss, God Bless you, and Thank You and your family for your Fathers Service. I had the opportunity of serving with a Canadian Army Stryker Unit when I was in Afghanistan. The Canadians and the US have served together thru many conflicts and have stood side by side as allies. God bless the USA and Canada.

    //Vr//
    COL Mark Koloc
    USAR

    Reply ↓

  39. Pingback: A Rare Hand Crank Heater Available | eWillys

  40. Mark

    Can someone with a working / complete heater shoot a close up pic of the business end of the heater? Trying to figure out where the wick sits .. got my heater for my display, want to go thru it and would like to see if I can fire it up.

    Reply ↓
  41. deilers

    Hi Mark,

    I’ve just emailed you a few larger versions of images I have collected (I don’t have a heater myself).

    – Dave

    Reply ↓
  42. Larry

    Hi Dave.. hope all is well with you, have been away, and also haved looked at the cottage and the farm for the ”hose kit” for this heater..it seems i remember it, andi think my dad used the hose for a ventilation duct from a saw ??.. i do hope this heater brings itself to one who appreciates it’s reverance to WW2… maybe you know a good home for it, and will sell reasonable..i do think shipping into the u.s.a. may be substantial but ?? will consider this into the selling price… all i see with this heater ((as by your pics))is a wick like item is missing from it, all the rest is in tack and org.. please email me at larryv@vianet.ca ….. have a great weekend, oh yes the fish are be very co-operative also here

    Reply ↓
  43. Larry

    Hi Dave, could you please email me, i can not put a comment on here, it just will not work what so ever

    Reply ↓
  45. deilers

    Sorry about that Larry .. for some reason, the site is hiccuping a bit. I don’t know the exact cause, but you aren’t alone in having a problem loading a comment. I’ll respond to your comment a little later.

    – Davae

    Reply ↓
  46. Brian Chadwell

    From the sounds of things, I am pretty lucky to own one. I bought mine 20 years ago at an auction in Boise, Idaho for $1.00. It is all original (without flex hose) and is in working condition. I have looked everywhere trying to get a value, but I have had no luck. I thought it was a trench warmer, but now I know its a engine warmer. I have used it hunting, but I think I might not do that anymore. The serial# is 2544. If anyone has anymore information, please let me know.

    Brian Chadwell
    208-866-2317

    Reply ↓
  47. deilers

    Hi Brian,

    Welcome to the club! Josh is in Boise as well and knows about as much as anyone about these (I’m in Eagle). As you’ve learned the hard way, there isn’t much info about these so we can all relate to your frustration at learning more about them.

    It’s good to hear you’ve gotten some actual, practical use out of yours. Given the BTU output, I suppose it will warm just about anything!

    – Dave

    Reply ↓
  48. J.R.Daniel

    I too have and Stewart-Warner Model 796a Hand Crank Heater. Thanks for the website I was wondering what they used these for I’ve had this thing for about 20yrs.s/n3839

    Reply ↓
  49. deilers

    Hi J.R.

    Welcome to the club! Is it in original condition and/or good condition? Does it appear complete? Does it still work? If you’d like, you can send pics to d@ewilllys.com.

    Thanks!

    – Dave

    Reply ↓
  50. J.R.Daniel

    It seems to be in original condition,complete except for hose attachment,I do not know if it works kind of scared to fire it off. I’ll send you some pics.I got it when I bought a shop from a man who had died.
    It was in the stuff at the shop.Iwas going to donate it to the Military Museum in Green Cove Srings,Fla.Now that I know it was used by the armed forces.
    Thanks,
    J.R.

    Reply ↓
  51. Jim Stoddard

    Hi guys. I also have a model #796 w/o hose that I have never operated.It needs a new home. Make an offer. Ottawa ont. Thanks Jim

    Reply ↓
  54. deilers

    Hi Mike,

    I think potential buyers would be curious to know if it has the hose on it (which is one of the rarer pieces)? You can see what the hose looks like in the image at the top of this post.

    Thanks,

    – Dave

    Reply ↓
  56. Michael Jermeay

    Last April I donated a 796 hand crank heater with hose to the USAF Museum in Dayton, OH. It was in excellent condition.

    Reply ↓
  57. David Eilers

    I’m sure those folks appreciated that Michael! It’s amazing how these keep popping up here and there.

    Reply ↓
  58. Gary Dirk

    I have two to these heaters that I bought i a lot purchase at an auction sale. Model – 796 A-1 Serial # 5001 & 5132. One is missing the crank handle and no hoses. I talked to the follow from an aviation Museum and he said they were used by the northern bush pilots in Canada to heat the engines in the winter time. They are both in good shape.

    Reply ↓
  60. Ken Slyke

    Hi Dave! Greetings from St Paul, Alberta! Guess what I just found on the weekend? Yep..a 796-A handcrank heater.Serial #642. I was unloading stuff at the local landfill and spotted it sitting off carefully to the side. Curiosity got the best of me and I took it home. Seems in good shape and nothing missing, but there is no hose. I haven’t tried to start it up yet. Being as we are just an hour away from Cold Lake Base, i wonder if it started out from there. Not too sure exactly what to do with it yet. Your ‘blog’ here is just about the only thing I’ve been able to find on it.

    Reply ↓
  61. deilers Post author

    Hi Ken,

    Congrats! I guess it shouldn’t be too strange that several of these heaters have been found in Canada (must be something about it being cold up there maybe?). It’s amazing that someone would throw a complete one away! But then, I guess there isn’t a great deal of use for them, except as museum pieces or nice touches for a restoration.

    When I looked for information about these, I couldn’t find anything either, hence the reason I keep this blog post around.

    Thanks for the note and if you have any questions, feel free to list them here or email me at d@ewillys.com.

    – Dave

    Reply ↓
  62. Jamie Balser

    I think I have No. 9 or is it 10. Stewart Warner 796-A-1′ Heater, Utility (hand Crank)’. I hope to have it on display at the Bantam Jeep Festival WWII display this Fathers day weekend.

    Reply ↓
  64. don miller

    I have a hand crank model 796-A stewart warner. I am missing the crank and spring and small cog and heater hose, or will buy complete unit. If you don’t have either.. I am looking for some kind of drawing or pictures. Please call 916-425-5239

    Reply ↓
  65. Ellen Story

    Cleaning out my father’s shop I have found a Stewart-Warner model 796 with the hose. Clearly i have no use for it. If anyone would like to make me an offer you can email me at eastor@aol.com

    Reply ↓
  66. David Eilers

    Thanks for the note Ellen. If you can’t find a buyer, you might see if a local military museum might be interested in it. Good luck!

    – Dave

    Reply ↓

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *