Hi Andy,
I agree, $1,200 US does seem exorbitant for a 12 year old SLC! (although it does appear to be in like-new condition)
Having said that, I’m frequently surprised by the prices asked for second-hand binoculars - though it only takes one person willing to pay *
I’m also frequently surprised by the images posted. Firstly, they’re often poor both in terms of quality and in showing significant details.
And sometimes a seller can’t even go to the effort to wipe dust or fluff off the body (let alone clean the lenses).
The opposite is when the RA has been heavily dosed with Armor All and appears to be wet!
And a variation: when I bought my UV HD 8x42, the seller had posted high quality images showing it pristine and clean.
However, when it arrived it was totally covered in red dust! It seemed to have been taken for one last outing - perhaps on a motor bike -
and then shoved into the carry case to be boxed and sent. Fortunately, after it was cleaned it was as advertised.
* Having looked in detail at Swarovski’s WWII 6x30 service binoculars, the prices asked for German WWII 6x30 binoculars in general are surprising.
Firstly, they’re not rare even after 70+ years. And secondly, they’re unsurprisingly often in obviously poor condition.
There appears to be two distinct markets, militaria collectors and military re-enactors.
While many of the former seem to favour authenticity over condition, for the latter the reverse is sometimes the case:
• Several times I’ve seen units in good condition, later re-advertised by someone else in a much more 'battle worn' state, and
• I’ve also seen units that were superficially in a much better condition when re-listed by a second seller, typically featuring fresh paint
. . . so go figure!
John
