8 replies to this topic

[ryderc1]

I came across a pair of Swift 7.5x42 Osprey Mark II's that appear as new. They were given as a retirement gift to my father and appear to never have been used. They are quite comfortable and light and showed stars as sharp pinpoints when I tried then last evening. Today they showed virtually no false color in daytime use.

 

I have no need for the binoculars and am wondering what a fair price for them might be. They include the original leather case, rainguard, end caps, and straps all also in as new condition.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Thanks,

Charles

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[MartinPond]

The Osprey is an excellent model, and your glass seems most unused

  and flawless.  I especially like the precision lab piston focuser they used.

They do show up on ebay sometimes, so you can monitior that for a while, mainly by searching

 for 7.5x42 ...  they often finish around $150-200, but most of them are well-used.

 

 If you carefully feed the rubber parts with a little Armor-All or

 WD40 on a damp cloth (keeping it off the glass...pre-moisten the cloth), you

  can achieve a depth of black and a gloss (mop excess off, though), that,

  combined with your mint/unused testimony, might allow an asking price

  above most (you could do 'buy it now', and slowly lower from a high)...

 

Meanwhile, enjoy, and ponder hanging onto some binoculars that are hard to replace or surpass.

 The 8,5x44 Audubon is a legend, old and new, and these are in the same class.

[gunut]

so...a great vintage binocular....that was your fathers....presented to him on his retirement.....I would think no amount of $$$ would be able to tear them away from you.....

Edited by gunut, 09 September 2017 - 09:41 PM.

[ryderc1]

Thanks for your replies and advice. They do perform surprisingly well, at least to my eyes, so I can understand why they're considered to be quite nice binoculars.  Had they been something my father used and enjoyed I'd certainly keep them for sentimental reasons. But I don't think he ever used them so selling them wouldn't involve parting with somehing of special significance or meaning to him. Nevertheless, maybe I'll hang onto them anyway!

 

Charles

[Erik Bakker]

Keeping them will bring more joy every time you use them. And these are very hard to replace if you regret selling them.

[Binojunky]

Vintage binocular- $150, Dad,s vintage binocular- priceless, D.

[danielgolite]

Charles,

 

    I was thinking the same as the others. Looks like you have a really fine binocular that you might want to keep. Still a priceless heirloom even if your father never used them. I like to look at vintage Swift binoculars that are for sale and do not recall seeing that model up for auction recently.

[Rich V.]

Maybe you father never used them because he was saving them for you...     

 

Rich

[25585]

I have some pairs of Osprey & a Derby I.F. pair. Eye relief, with cups folded down, is great for glasses!

 

Very bright views, and moderate close focusung. Not seen any astigmatism. Nice light and well protected. Smaller porros are rare these days.

 

Ospreys are Japanese made.