6 replies to this topic

[Optics Patent]

The year of manufacture is encoded into the serial number engraved on the base plate of every Standard or Duplex Questar drive.  The initial first digit is the last digit of the year of manufacture ("5" = 1965, 75, 85, etc).  To determine the decade use this guide based on an inventory spreadsheet found at the Yahoo Questar group (which is difficult to join and navigate). 

 

1950s:  2??-6??  The earliest models did not have the year code digit. 

1960s:  6??-40??

1970s:  41??-76??

1980s:  77??-99??

1990s:  100??-109??

2000s:  110??-

"Current"*:  13000

 

Numbers are approximate at the ends of the decades, but it will be obvious where yours falls.  For example, if yours is 9-CV-4111-BB, then the 4111 means you're either near the end of the 60s or beginning of the 70s, so logically the 9 must mean 1969.

 

50th Anniversary models produced since 2000 do not have the year code.

 

Field Models do not have the year code.  Known examples:

#50 1957

#463 1967

#972 1972

#2026 1975

#2376 1978

#3280 1984

#4086 1989

#6000 "Current"*

*According to very out-of-date Questar website.

 

For more info on what serial number codes mean and details on other models, visit the Questar Corporation web page here.

Edited by Optics Patent, 02 March 2017 - 10:33 AM.

[Optics Patent]

#9-611 just appeared on Ebay, and I edited the numbers above accordingly since some 600s were made in the 50s.  #0-675 was made in 1960.

Edited by Optics Patent, 02 March 2017 - 10:30 AM.

[Optics Patent]

Yes. Between 600 and 4000 so 1960s. 3 means 1963.

[Optics Patent]

Fine tuning based on some sales listings in the last year.  Note that there is not perfect sequential numbering, so there are many instances when a lower number is indicated as from being in a later year.

 

1950s:  1??-6??  The earliest models did not have the year code digit.

1960s:  6??-41??

1970s:  41??-77??

1980s:  76??-99??

1990s:  99??-109??

2000s:  109??-          Since 2000 or 2001 the date code is in double digits, making identification unambiguous.

[RMay]

Interesting thread. Just took a look at my Standard 3.5, purchased new in 1983 or 1984, and the serial number is 3-8586. This seems to follow their standard numbering protocol (year of mfg = 3, SN = 8586).

Ron

Edited by RMay, 30 April 2019 - 03:14 PM.

[Terra Nova]

My mystic purple Standard is 5-8919-BB, so two years later (1985) and 333 Faberge eggs later!

[RMay]

...and, I’ve just heard of 3-8591, only 5 SN away from mine.

Ron