Old Spotting Scopes

[cdnrokon]

Anyone here into the old spotting scopes?

I picked up a Vintage 1950s-1960s Bushnell Spacemaster with 60mm lens with a 20x eyepiece. This scope looks like it was made by Kowa as it is identical to the Kowa TS-1. This scope looks like it was never used and is a quality that you do not see in the newer scopes.

I was hopeful in finding info on if any interchange of eyepieces vintage or modern.

 

[BigUglyMan]

I'm into leaving my old Redfield out so that my daughter doesn't automatically grab my Kowa when she wants to look out the window at planets, but otherwise, I'm not much help. Sounds like you found a dandy scope though.

 

[Keller]

I have an old Bushnell, likely 70's - 80's vintage. The original eyepiece was cracked so I went to Bushnell here in the Toronto area and they sold me a newer eyepiece that fit perfectly.

 

[alpining]

Nice find! Where did you spot it?

 

[cdnrokon]

Nice find! Where did you spot it?

just a pun on words...... largest worldwide auction site ..ebay came out of a sleepy town in Colorado

 

[DGY]

Definitely a really cool spotter!!

 

[TV-PressPass]

A personal favourite of mine: Made in "West Germany" Optolyth spotter/telescope. Fixed 30 x 80 power. Pretty short eye relief, but nice to look through and great to carry.

 

[kamlooky]

Pretty decent.
How far can you count tines or wee bullet holes awn targitts?

 

[cdnrokon]

A personal favourite of mine: Made in "West Germany" Optolyth spotter/telescope. Fixed 30 x 80 power. Pretty short eye relief, but nice to look through and great to carry.

It is amazing that there is some old glass still out there, I guess the people that have it are now getting to the age or have passed on and now it is coming up in good will shops, marketplace and kijiji

 

[TV-PressPass]

It is amazing that there is some old glass still out there, I guess the people that have it are now getting to the age or have passed on and now it is coming up in good will shops, marketplace and kijiji

I mean that’s the cool thing about glass & guns both: well made and well cared for will last multiple lifetimes

 

[SgtDog0311]

I have a Bushnell. I’m thinking it Predates the Spacemaster II. But I’m just now researching. Adjustment knob says No. 7. (Japan BK). The crome ring at the base of the knob has “Bushnell Spacemaster”. Looks to be good quality. 70s-80s, or maybe earlier???

New here or I’d know how to post a picture.

 

[maple_leaf_eh]

I have a Bushnell. I’m thinking it Predates the Spacemaster II. But I’m just now researching. Adjustment knob says No. 7. (Japan BK). The crome ring at the base of the knob has “Bushnell Spacemaster”. Looks to be good quality. 70s-80s, or maybe earlier???

New here or I’d know how to post a picture.

Patience Grasshopper. A very old cultural reference. Keep posting and your wish will be rewarded.

 

[geologist]

Bausch & Lomb Discover, 15x60x.

The glass is very good. I think it was made in Japan, 1980s vintage.

 

[dan belisle]

Bausch & Lomb Discover, 15x60x.

The glass is very good. I think it was made in Japan, 1980s vintage.

Had one of those, was stolen out of the back of my truck years back. Bought a Bushnell to replace it, then a Nikon as my eyes worsened. - dan

 

[Rod B]

I too have a Bausch & Lomb Discoverer - 20 – 60 X 60mm.
It's old but so am I & it serves my needs.

 

[Rman]

The older Spacemaster units from the 70's and 80's are still some of the best glass for the dollar today. Nothing new available for more even seems to come close. The ones that have been the best came in a brown plether wrapped box, included a fixed and variable eye piece and either a fixed or collapsible tripod. Be careful of the later model Spacemaster 2's as that was the beginning of the end of quality units. Anyone familiar with Bushnell knows this era well.

R.

 

[Rman]

Pretty decent.
How far can you count tines or wee bullet holes awn targitts?

Depending on the zoom, several hundred yards. Target holes, 200 at least. Tines probably 400.

R.

 

[Snider shooter]

I have the same Was surprised how well it worked. Made in the days before Bushnell started putting out cheap junk. Still clear and probably older than I am.

 

[SgtDog0311]

Now I can post pictures I’ll tell the story.

I had a Konus (80mm I think).

Buddy bought a Bushnell Spacemaster on ebay and we compared and his was better than my Konus. So I bought a Spacemaster for up North when shooting BPCR there (big bore and .22) Then later, another rubber armor-coated one, both in backpacks. The second was camo and I used it when I was shooting BPCR around OKC area. Travelled a bit in those years.

Now with the advanced glaucoma I am downsizing. I’ll be danged but I found an even older Spacemaster on my shelves I had picked up somewhere. So here I am researching so as to keep the best one. The two older ones are made in Japan. The Camo one is made in Korea. I can’t see a lot of difference, but better eyes might.

But I know I can spot .22 strikes at 200 yards on rams (way different than paper). I believe I can see holes at 100yds. I know I can see strikes of 45-70 at 540yds on Rams. In fact the Buffalo at the Quigley is 800yds.

Waiting to see if someone at Bushnell has enough history under their belts to give production dates.