10 replies to this topic

[The_boots]

I came across an ad for a Sears telescope, and while I know some older Sears scopes are worth looking through, I think this one is probably new enough to be past that era. Just in case, I was wondering if anyone could help me identify this makers mark? 

I looked in the registry, but it's clearly not the circle T, and the pictures of SYW had a diamond logo. Couldn't find an AOC mark (I'm new at this game!). Instead of spinning my wheels, I wanted to come here and ask the people who actually know what they're talking about!

[MisterDan]

That's the infamous "VV" or "VW" or "WV" trademark.

 

I don't think anyone has "decoded" it.

 

You may find this thread interesting:

https://www.cloudyni...nsive japanese

 

It holds quite a bit of redundancy, but there's lots of good info within.

 

Best wishes.

Dan

[jragsdale]

It's double V for very value. Haven't met one with that symbol worth keeping, but it is indeed a mystery.

[The_boots]

That's the infamous "VV" or "VW" or "WV" trademark.

 

I don't think anyone has "decoded" it.

 

You may find this thread interesting:

https://www.cloudyni...nsive japanese

 

It holds quite a bit of redundancy, but there's lots of good info within.

 

Best wishes.

Dan

As was stated many times in the thread, why isn't that a sticky?? I've been hunting for a thread like that all day! 

Kind of kicking myself for not jumping on a Monolux with the APL logo on it. It looked really nice!

[deSitter]

Actually I think this is a circle-T, just poorly printed or worn down. Can you get a hi-res close-up? I don't remember any Sears scopes that were VV or Y or anything but Towa, Astro-Optical, and SYW (Yamamoto). I haven't seen any from the 80s onward however.

 

-drl

[Kasmos]

As was stated many times in the thread, why isn't that a sticky?? I've been hunting for a thread like that all day! 

Kind of kicking myself for not jumping on a Monolux with the APL logo on it. It looked really nice!

It sort of is.

It's the 6th link down when you open the sticky at the top of the Classic Forum called Useful Classic Scopes Links

 

[The_boots]

Actually I think this is a circle-T, just poorly printed or worn down. Can you get a hi-res close-up? I don't remember any Sears scopes that were VV or Y or anything but Towa, Astro-Optical, and SYW (Yamamoto). I haven't seen any from the 80s onward however.

-drl

It has a notch in the middle, and those diagonals on each side, though. No, I think the folks who said those were two Vs are correct. I don't think I can get a better picture without actually buying the telescope, which I'm loathe to do if it isn't a good example.
The only other vintage scope I have to compare it to is a Bushnell Sky Chief 3, which is Japan-made, but with no maker's mark. It's not the one with the boxes down the side (which seems to be substantially worse), but I haven't had the chance to really spend much time with it. There just haven't been enough clear night for me to set it up!

[Cavs56]

I have a Milben with the double V. It was a Zoom I converted. I was fortunate to have a very old brass eyepiece that fit the tube perfectly. Views are excellent.

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[The_boots]

So the double V is a mystery, huh?

 

I also stumbled across another Sears, but this one has the Circle-K which I believe is Kenko. Are those more highly thought of than the double V?

[MisterDan]

Some "K"s may be Kenko. Some will not be.  There are different fonts/styles and "spacings" (within their circles).  I think Kenko was a brand first, then they ventured into manufacturing later. Carton progressed in a similar fashion (initially NOT a manufacturer).  If a given scope is pre-'70s vintage and sports a "K" logo, I (myself) would doubt it was made by Kenko.

-But I'm hardly a Kenkophile. 

 

That thread I noted includes a "Kenko" scope with a K-in-circle logo...  but I'm not convinced it was made by Kenko.  Best candidate? Sure... Maybe...  

 

Best wishes.

Dan

[The_boots]

Some "K"s may be Kenko. Some will not be.  There are different fonts/styles and "spacings" (within their circles).  I think Kenko was a brand first, then they ventured into manufacturing later. Carton progressed in a similar fashion (initially NOT a manufacturer).  If a given scope is pre-'70s vintage and sports a "K" logo, I (myself) would doubt it was made by Kenko.

-But I'm hardly a Kenkophile. 

 

That thread I noted includes a "Kenko" scope with a K-in-circle logo...  but I'm not convinced it was made by Kenko.  Best candidate? Sure... Maybe...  

 

Best wishes.

Dan

Here is the picture of that one: 

 

What's odd is that I don't see any Kenko telescope listed under Sears at all.