I posted this in the optics forum but didn't get any response. Does anyone have any experience using Nickel scopes. I just bought a 222 with a 6x43 Nickel supra and I own a drilling with a similar 6x43, except it has the dovetails built onto it. What do you think of their quality? Any estimation on value?
Any experience with Nickel scopes?
- Thread starter StevieK
- Start date
- Location
- Saskatchewan
Good quality optics, built stoutly.
I have one. Good European scope, I think the company was bought out by Zeiss a few years back, but I may be misremembering. - dan
- Location
- Steel Town
Have a 2.5x on my custom 98 Mauser sporter. Excellent clarity and well made. I will never part with mine.
- Location
- Steel Town
This is my vintage Nickel-Marburg 2.5x scope. I don't know exactly how old it is, but the glass is as crystal clear and vivid as any high-end scope I've seen or used. It's a very fine scope.
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
About $150 or so on the used market in Europe for that scope. They're considered by most,at best,a mid grade German scope. That's for the old Supra and Hertel & Reuss scopes. The new Gerhardt Nickel brand is supposedly better, though still not regarded to be on par with Zeiss or S&B. They are not owned or manufactured by Zeiss.
- Location
- Steel Town
Bearkilr;
Please let me know when you find my scope for $150 and I will buy another in a heartbeat!
Mid-grade at best? I don't think so.
A bit of history for the OP:
Nickel was a lead engineer at the Ziess Jena plant during World War II. He was picked up by an American Rescue Team when the Russians invaded Germany.
Please let me know when you find my scope for $150 and I will buy another in a heartbeat!
Mid-grade at best? I don't think so.
A bit of history for the OP:
Nickel was a lead engineer at the Ziess Jena plant during World War II. He was picked up by an American Rescue Team when the Russians invaded Germany.
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bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
There are always a few that are sold on ebay, I'd say that's your best bet. The most recent 3 were between $100-$250, most seem to be variable models. The highest price I could find was for a fixed 8x56 in mint shape for $280. Make sure when you search to include completed listings to get accurate prices and include countries outside of North America.
Sometimes we get carried away thinking that the "Made in Germany" label somehow means it has to be worth several hundred $$. My intention isn't to bash your scope my friend, but I can assure you that the price I quoted is pretty accurate.
Also,again, make sure you're not confusing the B. Nickel/Marburg made scopes (older) with the newer Gerhardt Nickel scopes, they share nothing but the surname.
Perhaps they fetch a bit more here due to them being "Made in Germany", but across the pond they are not by any stretch of the imagination considered to be on par with the likes of Zeiss or Schmidt & Bender. Sorry.
And FYI, you can buy a boatload of old Zeiss Jena binoculars for around $100 ea., so the fact Mr. Nickel used to work at the factory has little bearing on optical quality of any sort, and these binocs even have the "Zeiss" name on them.
Sometimes we get carried away thinking that the "Made in Germany" label somehow means it has to be worth several hundred $$. My intention isn't to bash your scope my friend, but I can assure you that the price I quoted is pretty accurate.
Also,again, make sure you're not confusing the B. Nickel/Marburg made scopes (older) with the newer Gerhardt Nickel scopes, they share nothing but the surname.
Perhaps they fetch a bit more here due to them being "Made in Germany", but across the pond they are not by any stretch of the imagination considered to be on par with the likes of Zeiss or Schmidt & Bender. Sorry.
And FYI, you can buy a boatload of old Zeiss Jena binoculars for around $100 ea., so the fact Mr. Nickel used to work at the factory has little bearing on optical quality of any sort, and these binocs even have the "Zeiss" name on them.
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