The provocatively name ‘Guidwife’ portable range went under more make overs throughout its long production run than any other range. It came in every size and shape and its styling was constantly reworked at the Caledonian Stove and Iron Works where it was conceived in the late 19th century.
Due to its adaptability and solid construction it came to be used in a variety of applications and found favour with the builders and boatman of working narrow boats where they could often be found in the back cabins of buttys.
There are many Guidwife ranges still in existence today but they are not so common as the ‘Belle Portable’. They do not always carry the ‘Guidwife’ logo but instead have the name and address of the ironmonger who supplied the range cast into their flue box.
I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for these Guidwife ranges. There’s just something about the simple yet traditional design that really works and they have a few nice features like a flip up toaster. This one was supplied by us and has been fitted in a historic living van in Yorkshire.
We just finished this nice little 24″ Guidwife Portable Range for a client. This one is staying fairly local to us and will end up in a Showman’s Waggon that is currently undergoing restoration.
Here’s another range beautifully installed on a live aboard boat. I can’t claim the reward for this work but the range has been fitted with one of my adapters. The owner of the range had been looking for someone to make one for nearly a year when they came across the site!
The range is a Guidwife and a model often used on historic boats.
Here’s a really nice little range that came in for restoration a short while ago. It is “The Improved Cam” a model manufactured at the Caledonian Stove and Iron works and here it is nearing completion and preparing to be shipped back to its owner next week.
This is the latest range to be restored, a very nice early Guidwife range like those used in traditional back cabins in working narrow boats. Look in the shop for more photos and the price.
