26 replies to this topic

[deSitter]

This one had a big triangle badge, an unusual finder bracket, and a color scheme I haven't seen - supposedly bronze but this sure doesn't look bronze like the ones a couple of years later.

 

-drl

 

Attached Thumbnails

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[Bomber Bob]

Model Number??

[deSitter]

Model Number??

6335

 

-drl

[Bomber Bob]

Only 4 in The Registry:

 

Sears 6335 270283 AOC SEARS SEARS USA
Sears 6335 272410 AOC SEARS SEARS USA
Sears 6335 272780 AOC SEARS SEARS USA
Sears 6335 272901 AOC SEARS SEARS USA

[Marc-Andre]

Only 4 in The Registry:

 

Sears 6335 270283 AOC SEARS SEARS USA
Sears 6335 272410 AOC SEARS SEARS USA
Sears 6335 272780 AOC SEARS SEARS USA
Sears 6335 272901 AOC SEARS SEARS USA

You may add to the registry.

 

 

Sears 6335 270411 AOC

Edited by Marc-Andre, 24 June 2022 - 09:56 PM.

[deSitter]

DSC03452.JPG

 

Sears 6335 270411 AOC

Yes the ones I've seen are the all-bronze ones (very cool!) - but the catalog item is not that, and it might even be white - and it has the big triangle Tower badge on the focuser. I ask because this was the first 3" scope to show up in Sears Fall/Winter catalogs, in 1961. The 1960 catalog does not feature a 3" and the 2.4" is standard white/black. I also seem to remember that the Tower brand was not exclusively Sears, but I may be imagining that.

 

-drl

[ccwemyss]

There is clearly quite a bit of artistic license in the catalog drawing, with distorted perspective (either that or the scope is bent). I suspect it may be a concept of what they expected it to look like. 
 

Chip W.

[deSitter]

There is clearly quite a bit of artistic license in the catalog drawing, with distorted perspective (either that or the scope is bent). I suspect it may be a concept of what they expected it to look like. 
 

Chip W.

Probably not - I'm sure these are all taken from photographs and then half-toned etc for catalog printing. They are not artist's conceptions. Likely the catalog page was warped when scanned.

 

-drl

[RichA]

This one had a big triangle badge, an unusual finder bracket, and a color scheme I haven't seen - supposedly bronze but this sure doesn't look bronze like the ones a couple of years later.

 

-drl

I've seen the #1, I remember the mount.

[deSitter]

I've seen the #1, I remember the mount.

The other 2.4" scopes here are the ones we've all seen around here, with the dark/light bronze scheme.

 

BTW I did remember correctly, there was a Tower Optical that makes pay-per-view tourist binoculars. Still in business, since 1932! Don't know if that is related to Sears Tower.

 

-drl

[Kasmos]

Some (but not all) of the Tower telescopes have Sears in a small circle on both the label and badge.

(I thought they all did until I did a search)

 

These are from Robert's 6332

https://www.cloudyni...wer-model-6332/

Hard to read here

 

But clearly on the box

 

As for the catalog illustrations, that's what they likely were. 

Many of the catalogs and ads in those days used illustrations (gouache paintings) or heavily retouched photos.

Many times they were not an acurate portrayal but to make them more attractive or reproduce better, especially for use in low quality print materials.

Remember the car ads of the 50's and early 60s? I think that's kind of what's going on there. 

 

[Terra Nova]

The other 2.4" scopes here are the ones we've all seen around here, with the dark/light bronze scheme.

 

BTW I did remember correctly, there was a Tower Optical that makes pay-per-view tourist binoculars. Still in business, since 1932! Don't know if that is related to Sears Tower.

 

-drl

This may interest you:

 

https://www.cloudyni...ead/?p=11128376

[oldmanastro]

It's interesting to see that Sears Tower branded scopes came at least from three manufacturers, AOC, SYW and Towa. At some point after 1961-62 we don't see SYW again until the 6344 comes around. Reading from different threads I can see that there are samples of the models 6330 (Towa), 6331(Towa), 6332(Towa), 6334(SYW) and 6335(AOC) in CN members hands. The 6334 is the 60mm f/15 on equatorial mount. I think that the 6333 is the same thing but a Towa. The Tower branded Towas seems to be of better quality than the ones that came later.

[deSitter]

This may interest you:

 

https://www.cloudyni...ead/?p=11128376

Thanks! I knew I had seen that logo somewhere! 50s necessities - a Geiger counter!

 

-drl

[Terra Nova]

It's interesting to see that Sears Tower branded scopes came at least from three manufacturers, AOC, SYW and Towa. At some point after 1961-62 we don't see SYW again until the 6344 comes around. Reading from different threads I can see that there are samples of the models 6330 (Towa), 6331(Towa), 6332(Towa), 6334(SYW) and 6335(AOC) in CN members hands. The 6334 is the 60mm f/15 on equatorial mount. I think that the 6333 is the same thing but a Towa. The Tower branded Towas seems to be of better quality than the ones that came later.

The little gold 50x600 Tower that I gave my grandson had very sharp optics!

[ccwemyss]

Probably not - I'm sure these are all taken from photographs and then half-toned etc for catalog printing. They are not artist's conceptions. Likely the catalog page was warped when scanned.

 

-drl

The tube is perpendicular to the line of sight, but the cell and dew shield are angled about 15 degrees toward the viewer. The focuser is vertical, but the logo is shifted to the side so it is clear. There are other issues if you look close. It’s a drawing from a photo that has been adjusted to create an impression. Likely they had a photo of an early copy that was the basis for the contract, with subsequent changes to reflect what Sears wanted. The artist’s job was to envision what that would look like once it went into production. The catalog copy would typically need to go to the printer months in advance. In future years they would have actual product in Sears dress to photograph. Catalog marketing images from that era can’t always be relied upon for accuracy. 
 

Chip W.

[Yonsayvitch]

Thanks to all of you at CN there is a wealth of information.  I recently acquired a Tower 6335 with Royal Astro Optics. I think it's in overall fine shape but will still give it a bit of restoration. Where can I find the registration log? The # on this is 171240. It's the bronze color.

[semlin]

The other 2.4" scopes here are the ones we've all seen around here, with the dark/light bronze scheme.

 

BTW I did remember correctly, there was a Tower Optical that makes pay-per-view tourist binoculars. Still in business, since 1932! Don't know if that is related to Sears Tower.

 

-drl

not the same company.  i think tower may have been an independent import company separate from sears at some point, as i have seen information they were based in new jersey.

 

before ww2 sears sold wollensak and french binoculars.  after the war sears initially sold french optics under the tower brand, plus english wray binoculars.  then they gradually transitioned to exclusively japanese made tower branded binoculars and added astonomical telescopes.  in 1960 they switched to "sears tower" and in 1963 they switched to sears.  

 

japanese tower binoculars are primarily ofuna and kanto.  pretty much any tower branded binocular is a good binocular in my experience.

 

this history is similar to the history of the adams brand within montgomery ward.

[photoracer18]

It's interesting to see that Sears Tower branded scopes came at least from three manufacturers, AOC, SYW and Towa. At some point after 1961-62 we don't see SYW again until the 6344 comes around. Reading from different threads I can see that there are samples of the models 6330 (Towa), 6331(Towa), 6332(Towa), 6334(SYW) and 6335(AOC) in CN members hands. The 6334 is the 60mm f/15 on equatorial mount. I think that the 6333 is the same thing but a Towa. The Tower branded Towas seems to be of better quality than the ones that came later.

It is. I have a 1964 Sears 6333A, which is a Towa and was the only years the universal camera adapter was included free. Its in the blue/green color combo.

[Garyth64]

I will be receiving a partial Sears Tower 76mm x 1200mm kit tomorrow.  It is the one that was recently on SGW.  I don't know the numbers yet, but I will post them asap.  I believe these scopes were made by RAO, and are similar to the Sears 6339a, et al, scopes.

[Marc-Andre]

I will be receiving a partial Sears Tower 76mm x 1200mm kit tomorrow.  It is the one that was recently on SGW.  I don't know the numbers yet, but I will post them asap.  I believe these scopes were made by RAO, and are similar to the Sears 6339a, et al, scopes.

Yes, RAO.  I don't know why the registry lists as AOC or why I followed suit in identifying mine as such.

[deSitter]

Yes, RAO.  I don't know why the registry lists as AOC or why I followed suit in identifying mine as such.

I thought those were synonymous.

 

-drl

[Marc-Andre]

I thought those were synonymous.

 

-drl

always learning.  I didn't know. 

[Garyth64]

I will be receiving a partial Sears Tower 76mm x 1200mm kit tomorrow.  It is the one that was recently on SGW.  I don't know the numbers yet, but I will post them asap.  I believe these scopes were made by RAO, and are similar to the Sears 6339a, et al, scopes.

Sorry about not editing this post before.  My scope is not a "Sears" Tower 6335.  It is just a Tower 6335.  The name "Sears" isn't anywhere.

[deSitter]

Sorry about not editing this post before.  My scope is not a "Sears" Tower 6335.  It is just a Tower 6335.  The name "Sears" isn't anywhere.

How's your Bronze Bomber project coming?

 

-drl