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Help with id of vintage Nikons (1 Viewer)

lynnsterg

New member
I (unfortunately) have no experience with birding or binoculars. But I have recently purchased a pair of vintage Nikons in what appear to me (a highly unskilled binocular-user) to be excellent condition. I have been reading everything I can find online to know more about my purchase, but am still in the dark. I was hoping that someone here could tell me what I have. They are inscribed with Nikon 9x 35 7.3* (degree symbol) and 724552. All I have been able to learn is what the 9x and 35 mean. I presume that the 6 digit number is a model or product number, but I can find nothing to help me figure this out. I have read about porroprisms and roof prisms, but nothing that tells me anything about these binoculars specifically. All I know is that they are a great pair of binoculars in hardly-used condition, but sadly without lens caps or case. Anyone out there have any information? I bought them to resell perhaps on eBay, but now I might just keep them! Thanks in advance for any info you can give this ignoramus!
 
I think what you have is a 9x35 A series made from sometime in the 50's until the introduction of the E series in I believe the late 70's. The A and E series are largely identical except for the longer eye relief eyepieces and roll-down rubber eyecups on the E's. Nikon opted for a 10x35 E instead of a 9x35, so there is no Nikon 9x35 after your model. The 6 digit number is the serial number. Collectors don't seem to have much interest in the Nikon A series, compared to something like West German Zeiss porros of the same vintage, so the Nikons usually sell for less than $100 on eBay, a good thing for buyers since these binoculars are very nice. Your model would probably be the most desireable of the A series, since nothing comparable to it was made later.
 
Much obliged

henry link said:
I think what you have is a 9x35 A series made from sometime in the 50's until the introduction of the E series in I believe the late 70's. The A and E series are largely identical except for the longer eye relief eyepieces and roll-down rubber eyecups on the E's. Nikon opted for a 10x35 E instead of a 9x35, so there is no Nikon 9x35 after your model. The 6 digit number is the serial number. Collectors don't seem to have much interest in the Nikon A series, compared to something like West German Zeiss porros of the same vintage, so the Nikons usually sell for less than $100 on eBay, a good thing for buyers since these binoculars are very nice. Your model would probably be the most desireable of the A series, since nothing comparable to it was made later.

Thank you so much for the valuable information, and for taking the time to write me...one other thing, what does the 7.3* refer to - in layman's terms ;) ? I might just have to take up birding, and keep these binoculars!
 
lynnsterg said:
Thank you so much for the valuable information, and for taking the time to write me...one other thing, what does the 7.3* refer to - in layman's terms ;) ? I might just have to take up birding, and keep these binoculars!

7.3 degrees for the field of view (out of a 360 degree circle, you see 7.3 degrees when looking through those binoculars).
 
Duh! I feel silly.

Otto McDiesel said:
7.3 degrees for the field of view (out of a 360 degree circle, you see 7.3 degrees when looking through those binoculars).

Of course...it seems all so obvious to me NOW! Thanks so much!
 
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