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Craigslist, eBay, and other vintage classic telescope ads

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#1 mdowns

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Posted 31 January 2025 - 10:20 PM

Our featured member to be, got bombed by RL last week. Hopefully, we can hear from him soon. With that in mind, I thought I'd post some pics of these classics I've had, bought and sold on sites like CN,a-mart, eBay, etc. I used to collect binoculars and often used the WW11 glasses, like these, for quick peeks of the sky. I also used classic eyepieces like these, with whatever scope I used that evening.

 

690535-6.jpg

 

IMG_8943.JPG

 

 

The basic guideline for this thread is to list ads and auctions for classic/vintage scopes and associated accessories that others may be interested in. Do not post your own ads or the ads of your friends, this includes items you may be trying to sell for someone else. We request that you do not post photos from ads. If you must have some reference to a photo in the post, post a link to the photo, not the photo itself. Concentrate on the item for sale, and not the seller.

Please post a live link to the item.  Do not post "PM me for the link".Short discussions can take place about the items listed. When quoting a post, edit the quoted post to include only the part you are replying to. Do not post the entire ad text, or large blocks of it, without permission from the author.    Keep on topic,   please!

    Buyer Beware- CN is not responsible for any of the ads or auctions posted here or their content. There are some scams floating around, so do your homework before pursuing any ad.

                                                              and this note from the moderators

Let's remember everybody, there's no one place that has all the best-used scope finds just as there's no one place that never has anything. All have something. No need to beat subjective matter, whatever the topic, into the ground. For the sake of all of us who love the classic forum, please keep moving the thread forward. Remember that many of your fellow forum members are already vintage themselves. Instead of restating your opinions over and over, consider sharing something new, insightful, or otherwise constructive to the topic at hand.


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#2 jragsdale

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Posted 01 February 2025 - 11:00 AM

3" Antique Brass Claw + Pillar scope - $550 in Minneapolis, MN

https://minneapolis....7821907014.html

 

Sandcast C14 - $4200 near Las Vegas, NV

https://lasvegas.cra...7822407915.html

 

Custom Coulter 17.5" loaded - $2500 in Turner, OR

https://www.facebook...636649615684765

 

Orange C8 - $300 in Granbury, TX

https://www.facebook...684334898818446

 

Unitron 142 w/guide scope and tons of accessories - $1100 in Beaver Dam, WI

https://www.facebook...420276294503979


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#3 CHASLX200

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Posted 01 February 2025 - 11:07 AM

3" Antique Brass Claw + Pillar scope - $550 in Minneapolis, MN

https://minneapolis....7821907014.html

 

Sandcast C14 - $4200 near Las Vegas, NV

https://lasvegas.cra...7822407915.html

 

Custom Coulter 17.5" loaded - $2500 in Turner, OR

https://www.facebook...636649615684765

 

Orange C8 - $300 in Granbury, TX

https://www.facebook...684334898818446

 

Unitron 142 w/guide scope and tons of accessories - $1100 in Beaver Dam, WI

https://www.facebook...420276294503979

The 142 U is a  miss match on the guide scope but would make a nice scope to look at and never use.  The C14 i would jump on all day long if freaky sharp and complete pete.


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#4 Terra Nova

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Posted 01 February 2025 - 01:38 PM

Dave Trott has a couple of very rare and interesting classic/vintage scopes for sale today in the CN classifieds, one German (Busch) and the other Japanese (Vixen).

 

https://www.cloudyni...-rathenow-76mm/

 

https://www.cloudyni...vixen-ozuma-80/


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#5 jimeh

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Posted 01 February 2025 - 02:17 PM


 

Unitron 142 w/guide scope and tons of accessories - $1100 in Beaver Dam, WI

https://www.facebook...420276294503979

Unihex, guide scope, tracking motor, full set of EPs... This seems like a steal at $1100


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#6 Terra Nova

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Posted 01 February 2025 - 02:59 PM

Unihex, guide scope, tracking motor, full set of EPs... This seems like a steal at $1100

That looks like the model 145 PhotoEquatorial 3” Unitron! It has the clock drive too! That’s a total steal! Jump and run!


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#7 Kasmos

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Posted 01 February 2025 - 03:01 PM

3" Antique Brass Claw + Pillar scope - $550 in Minneapolis, MN

https://minneapolis....7821907014.html

 

Sandcast C14 - $4200 near Las Vegas, NV

https://lasvegas.cra...7822407915.html

 

Custom Coulter 17.5" loaded - $2500 in Turner, OR

https://www.facebook...636649615684765

 

Orange C8 - $300 in Granbury, TX

https://www.facebook...684334898818446

 

Unitron 142 w/guide scope and tons of accessories - $1100 in Beaver Dam, WI

https://www.facebook...420276294503979

That C14 has been for sale for a very very very long time. It sounds ridiculous but I'm pretty sure it's been since I first joined CN in 2015! It was originallly posted on CL Orange County, CA. When it first popped up everybody said it was too much. How many more years will it take before they understand its worth. It's always said it was for the estate of a dear friend. If they don't wake up soon someone is going to have to sell it posthumously for them as well!


Edited by Kasmos, 01 February 2025 - 03:05 PM.

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#8 starman876

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Posted 01 February 2025 - 06:34 PM

The 142 U is a  miss match on the guide scope but would make a nice scope to look at and never use.  The C14 i would jump on all day long if freaky sharp and complete pete.

That is a Unitron 145c photo equatorial complete with the optional 152 finder mounted with uniclamps.  That is a complete and matching original equipment. Beautiful scope.  Wish I lived in WI that scope would on its way home with me.   


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#9 Airship

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Posted 01 February 2025 - 06:43 PM

Gorgeous scope! It is neat seeing a 3" guidescope riding shotgun on a 3" Unitron. Wonderful.
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#10 CHASLX200

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Posted 01 February 2025 - 07:07 PM

That is a Unitron 145c photo equatorial complete with the optional 152 finder mounted with uniclamps.  That is a complete and matching original equipment. Beautiful scope.  Wish I lived in WI that scope would on its way home with me.   

Not a chance jack. Look at the tube color on the guide scope vs the rest at best.  Newer guide scope as the tube is not yellowed.


Edited by CHASLX200, 01 February 2025 - 07:08 PM.

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#11 CHASLX200

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Posted 01 February 2025 - 07:08 PM

Gorgeous scope! It is neat seeing a 3" guidescope riding shotgun on a 3" Unitron. Wonderful.

60mm.


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#12 starman876

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Posted 01 February 2025 - 07:30 PM

Not a chance jack. Look at the tube color on the guide scope vs the rest at best.  Newer guide scope as the tube is not yellowed.

Someone might have painted the guide scope.  However, each piece has the slanted letters indicating it was all made during the same period.  The clock drive, the eyepieces, the guidescope, the unihex and so forth are all from the same period.  It is a beautiful example of Unitron history.   Try and say something nice about the listing Chas. 


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#13 CHASLX200

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Posted 01 February 2025 - 07:45 PM

Someone might have painted the guide scope.  However, each piece has the slanted letters indicating it was all made during the same period.  The clock drive, the eyepieces, the guidescope, the unihex and so forth are all from the same period.  It is a beautiful example of Unitron history.   Try and say something nice about the listing Chas. 

Ya it all pretty much matches but the Guide scope looks newer as it is whiter. I already said something nice slice. Said i would jump. As i would pay 2k for a 100% complete PARTS matching pre 1965 3" U . Has to all be the real deal with no miss matching parts from diff years. Make a nice display scope to look at.


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#14 gelkin

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Posted 01 February 2025 - 07:56 PM

That guide scope probably came from a 4" model. The protector rings on the OTA are spread farther apart so the mounting rings can reach across the cradle on the 3" Unitrons. The 4" rings are much closer together. 

 

155 guide scope.jpg

 

145 guide scope.jpg


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#15 strdst

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Posted 01 February 2025 - 09:11 PM

Not a chance jack. Look at the tube color on the guide scope vs the rest at best.  Newer guide scope as the tube is not yellowed.

But what if the telescope spent years on display in the light, while the guide scope was kept in a case, Chase? You know in the dark, Mark? Wouldn't that keep the paint like new, Lew? Just sayin' Rayanne. OK, I'm done with the rhyming, like forever Trevor!


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#16 SandyHouTex

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Posted 01 February 2025 - 10:27 PM

That is a Unitron 145c photo equatorial complete with the optional 152 finder mounted with uniclamps.  That is a complete and matching original equipment. Beautiful scope.  Wish I lived in WI that scope would on its way home with me.   

If it's a matching set, why are the optical tubes different colors?  I suspect it's a kludge.



#17 Esso2112

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Posted 01 February 2025 - 11:09 PM

If it's a matching set, why are the optical tubes different colors?  I suspect it's a kludge.

I agree.  The guide scope has flat head screws attaching the focuser, while the main scope has Phillips head screws attaching the focuser.  Still, a very nice set up.   


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#18 CHASLX200

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Posted 02 February 2025 - 06:28 AM

But what if the telescope spent years on display in the light, while the guide scope was kept in a case, Chase? You know in the dark, Mark? Wouldn't that keep the paint like new, Lew? Just sayin' Rayanne. OK, I'm done with the rhyming, like forever Trevor!

That also could have went down like a clown.


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#19 Airship

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Posted 02 February 2025 - 07:58 AM

Kludge or not, still purdy. I often have to mix'n match parts to complete a scope. I've bought some scopes because it included a specific part that I needed.
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#20 Garyth64

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Posted 02 February 2025 - 09:00 AM

Maybe the tubes yellow in the sunlight.  Maybe the guy didn't put the guide scope on every time he used it. 



#21 vjstangelo

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Posted 02 February 2025 - 09:32 AM

Meade LX200 GPS 14

https://www.facebook...e/p/19rZYMmfz9/

#22 starman876

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Posted 02 February 2025 - 09:43 AM

That guide scope probably came from a 4" model. The protector rings on the OTA are spread farther apart so the mounting rings can reach across the cradle on the 3" Unitrons. The 4" rings are much closer together. 

 

attachicon.gif 155 guide scope.jpg

 

attachicon.gif 145 guide scope.jpg

I forgot that detail. Thanks for reminding me.  



#23 CHASLX200

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Posted 02 February 2025 - 09:49 AM

Really need a scope saver to mount that to the tripod. I would love it if freaky sharp but never hear much on optics on the 14" Meade.


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#24 CHASLX200

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Posted 02 February 2025 - 09:50 AM

I forgot that detail. Thanks for reminding me.  

I would pay the asking price if local and the lens was not fogged.



#25 Terra Nova

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Posted 02 February 2025 - 11:33 AM

Dave Trott has a Fearless Forty up for sale:

 

https://www.cloudyni...c-spi-40mm-f20/


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