I recently found a kowa ts-1 spotting scope with the included small tripod mount at a thrift store for a great price. Scope cleaned up well, no scratches on the glass, focus works well, no dings on the body, came with a 25x eyepiece and metal eyepiece and objective covers.
I did a little research on the ts-1 and found that it was the first commercial angled scope, with production started in 1952 and ending with the introduction of the tsn-1 in 1984. The ts-1 scopes I have seen in pictures show a push/pull sunshade at the objective and a built in tripod mount on the bottom of the scope. Mine never had a tripod mount installed (it sits in a cradle strapped on the tripod) and the whole objective end of the scope unscrews from the body of the scope for internal cleaning (no sunshade). I suspect that mine could have been a early 50s first production model that saw periodic improvements over its 30 year run, probably brought to the U.S. by a serviceman stationed in Japan in the 50s. Anyone have any info on the ts-1 that might pinpoint a date of manufacture? Thanks!
I did a little research on the ts-1 and found that it was the first commercial angled scope, with production started in 1952 and ending with the introduction of the tsn-1 in 1984. The ts-1 scopes I have seen in pictures show a push/pull sunshade at the objective and a built in tripod mount on the bottom of the scope. Mine never had a tripod mount installed (it sits in a cradle strapped on the tripod) and the whole objective end of the scope unscrews from the body of the scope for internal cleaning (no sunshade). I suspect that mine could have been a early 50s first production model that saw periodic improvements over its 30 year run, probably brought to the U.S. by a serviceman stationed in Japan in the 50s. Anyone have any info on the ts-1 that might pinpoint a date of manufacture? Thanks!
