395 replies to this topic

[jragsdale]

Just purchased an 831 (#643068) from Rochester, NY. Good condition, only missing dust cap and manual. Works well, very minor restore to commence shortly. Any way to tell approximate age? Hand written note in the case says 1961?

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[CharlieB]

1964.  The first two digits are the year of manufacture.   Should be a great scope.

[Ken Sturrock]

Here is an over-due* update. There are two or three new instruments.

 

 

 Swift_Registry-26JUN2021.pdf   146.78KB   70 downloads

 

 

 

 

 

* = The delay was caused by the need to edit a bunch of hyperlinks which no longer worked (mostly on CN, embarrassingly). Some pointed to content that was deleted on the remote site. Others, however, involved formatting. It appears that either Cloudy Nights, Excel or the PDF conversion program started mangling URLs which use "#entry" so I hand converted them to "/?p=".

[Lew Chilton]

Chuck,

 

I am the owner of Swift 839 #61163 and #61206. You have mistyped the name of my city. It is Northridge (one word).

 

Thanks,

 

Lew Chilton

 

P.S. I started the Swift Registry way back when but gave it up. However, I still maintain the registries for Coast Instrument Treckerscopes and the J.W. Fecker Celestars.

Edited by Lew Chilton, 04 July 2021 - 03:45 AM.

[Ken Sturrock]

I am the owner of Swift 839 #61163 and #61206. You have mistyped the name of my city. It is Northridge (one word).

 

Thanks, Lew. Both instruments, as well as the spelling of your city, have been correct for the past few years. This thread contains many editions of the registry. If you see anything else, please let me know.

[Ken Sturrock]

Here's a delayed update to the Swift Registry. As always, corrections and updates are welcome.

 

 Swift_Registry-08JAN2022.pdf   147.99KB   51 downloads

[Retiredbob]

As I've posted in another thread, I have a Swift 856 Cat from the mid 1980s.  They seem to be a bit rare (since I can only find a few mention of them in other threads).  Does it need to be registered in your list or is the list only for refractors?  Thanks!

[Kasmos]

As I've posted in another thread, I have a Swift 856 Cat from the mid 1980s.  They seem to be a bit rare (since I can only find a few mention of them in other threads).  Does it need to be registered in your list or is the list only for refractors?  Thanks!

If you look at the list it only includes the early 60's refractors that have serial numbers (838, 839, 831), and the 816 and satellite scopes.

[Retiredbob]

Thanks for the clarification.

 

I've not stumbled upon much on the Swift 856.  Any suggestions as to where to look for more information?

[Kasmos]

Thanks for the clarification.

 

I've not stumbled upon much on the Swift 856.  Any suggestions as to where to look for more information?

A simple Google search came up with these, but since it appears to be a Towa someone might be able to tell you the name and model number of others you can expand a the search. I believe they were sold by Jason for one.

 

https://www.cloudyni...m-catadioptric/

 

https://www.cloudyni...-serial-number/

 

https://www.cloudyni...ones-reflector/

 

https://www.cloudyni...idered-classic/

[Sofia52]

I accidentally bought this Swift 839 scope mid December and i was informed that there is a registry for them. How would one go about registering their scope? Thank you.
It's been tons of fun to use. The optics are amazing.

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[Kasmos]

How would one go about registering their scope? 

You just did. 

 

Besides the serial# (which is readable in your photo) they usually like a few words describing it. Completeness, where it came from, etc.

[Nick Will]

I found this 831 on FBM. Seller lived in Ocala FL and got it from a storage unit auction. Its in 7 of 10 condition cosmetically and is missing tripod & hub. I cleaned off the OTA last night and found 2 shallow dents in the tube. The lens looks good but has slight mold witness between the elements.

Edited by Nick Will, 25 January 2022 - 11:00 AM.

[Sofia52]

You just did. 
 
Besides the serial# (which is readable in your photo) they usually like a few words describing it. Completeness, where it came from, etc.

I see well. I got it on eBay. I accidentally bid on it because I neglected to turn off my phone screen and stuck it in my pocket. My pocket bid it up to $200US and when I woke up the next morning I had a message on my phone saying "congratulations. You won this item. Pay now". The seller was located in Johns Island, South Carolina
It is totally complete. Including the original hay packing material (hay wrapped in paper) the only damage is to one of the wood spacers (the one on the eyepiece side). The pegs that separate the legs have been removed no idea why. The scope is beautiful it was well taken care of and will continue to be while I'm it's caretaker.

[Ken Sturrock]

Thanks for the information. I'll update the registry document and post a new version in a few days.

[Werckmeister]

A Swift 839 from the Netherlands. It is nr 61224 and is in good shape after some tlc and it nicely splits Epsylon Lyrae. I got it from an elderly lady. Her father had brought it from the US as a birthday-present. I mostly use it to check sunspots, with a Vixen 1.25 inch adapter and volcano top ortho's on a Polarex alt/az mount. Here some pics:

Greetings

Edited by Werckmeister, 03 June 2022 - 01:45 AM.

[Ken Sturrock]

Here's a long-delayed update. Please let me know if I missed something or there are any inaccuracies. Thanks. -Ken

 

 Swift_Registry-05JUN2022.pdf   151.31KB   30 downloads

[Jae]

I've had this for many years but never got around to registering it.  It may be the only one I ever saw. 

 

It's the best 50mm scope I've looked through with a level of construction and thought that is way above the Tasco 66TE.  Plus it can use Vixen adapter for 1.25 inch eyepieces.  The tube slides to balance using heavy eyepieces too. 

 

The peep sight is super accurate, using a nagler 9mm I spotted a turkey and took a picture with my iphone.  It was a moving turkey so the focus is not perfect but the actual image through it shows a level of detail far better than the picture..  Nice wood legs, just about everything is wonderful with this little scope.  

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[Jae]

Here is a couple more pics:

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[Ken Sturrock]

I updated the registry based on recent threads and some correspondence. Please let me know of any errors or additions to this version. Thanks. -Ken

 

 Swift_Registry-22OCT22.pdf   86.39KB   54 downloads

[chinny]

Hello. I took over 646035 from nightfisher in 2014. Daniel, Somerset, UK.

Does anyone know suitable rings to allow the scope to be attached to a modern mount? I've ordered some Kson ones from China, but I'm not sure if they will arrive...