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**Eighty Eight** · 01-13-2017, 06:23 PM

Pull up a chair....
Should have a kangaroo court.
Nail em up.......

**Michael Downey** · 01-13-2017, 09:18 PM

Originally posted by MOLEHUNTER View Post

Shocking - a pair of KM Smooth ocular Zeiss showing normal paint wear Nr 36851 - bought for £30

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/binoculars...p2047675.l2557

and painted up "These Zeiss smooth ocular binoculars were in a terrible cosmetic condition with almost all of the original paint and textured finish missing" the new listing states. Resold for £265.00 - with all the history their honest wear showed gone..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Refinished...p2047675.l2557 £265.00

It is all relative I suppose.

I would not dream of buying the original set that was sold on eBay for £30 except perhaps for spare parts. Nor would I buy it once it had been restored.

The seller of the restored set on eBay makes clear that the set has been restored, so he cannot be said to have given a misleading description:

Refinished 7x50 blc smooth ocular Zeiss binoculars with benutzer

These Zeiss smooth ocular binoculars were in a terrible cosmetic condition with almost all of the original paint and textured finish missing. They have now have been refinished cosmetically with new paint and textured barrels. They are fitted with a benutzer, rubber cord, clip, and nut, all in good condition. The objective lenses have a couple of ‘flowers’ but other than this the lenses and prisms are clean and collimated with good viewing. The oculars focus freely. The top right-hand cover plate is stamped 7x50 36851 blc.

Some collector really get off on ground dug WWII items, other collectors like their WWII items battle worn and salty; there are "connoisseurs" who like their WWII items polished and shiny; perhaps hard to believe some collectors collect 1/6 scale WWII items; and other collectors only collect WWII items which are unissued and straight out of the factory door.

I really wonder if there is just one correct approach that collectors must take. I keep my collection packed in boxes and in humidity controlled storage, other collectors keep their collection openly displayed which may result in gradual environmental degradation or worse still the family pet or the kids half destroying. In spite of my secure storage, should I be faulted for not taking care of my historical artifacts in the event of my neighbour unexpectedly demolishing our common wall and roof which resulted in my bino collection suffering water damage?I wonder if one approach is really more "correct" than the other?

In the place where I live we can paint our houses any colour we like. So to me it is totally absurd to read of homeowners in Europe and other parts of the world being virtually imprisoned because they paint their front doors a different colour from that which has been "approved" by the local authority.

.

**Mikedenmark** · 01-14-2017, 03:12 AM

As far as I know, I can paint my house door any colour I want.
If I own a house.
Living in a flat, the front door has the same colour as all the other flat´s door´s has.
However, in some planned housing neighbourhoods, there are common rules for outside appearances. To maintain an overall representation of the neighbourhood.
Wellknown before you move in.

If you want your house to be lime green with red polka dots, you need to check local regulation before you buy. In many places, you can do as you please.
Only, one should remember that one´s kid´s will be those from the crazy man´s red polka dot green slime house.

I keep my collection nearby, and my kid´s at a humidity controlled storage. Works splendid. Neither is causing any trouble.
(this is where I should remember joking on the web may not come across as intended)

Regarding the binoculars.
I agree with Michael Downey, I don´t want them in either condition either. Except if I happened to find them at a flea market, at £ 30.-
I actually bought a similar (better cond.) one 2 weeks ago for £ 35.- Much to the chagrin of the seller. I even told him they were WWII Zeiss before buying. Suddenly he felt, he had sold too cheaply. Weird experience.

But at least, the 2nd seller did describe those on ebay as refinished. I see no real wrongdoing there. Except, maybe, the ruining of an original condition.

**Sgt Bilko** · 01-14-2017, 03:55 AM

They don't originally look to be in a terrible cosmetic condition with almost all of the original paint and textured finish missing - if the same criteria was applied to most KM binos they'd all be repainted.

And as for chump sellers who finish aucions early to sell cheaply to a dealer - they'd be as well giving it away on street corners.

In years to come the inconsistencies that this business model throws up will intrigue (or confuse) collectors and keep boards like this busy...

**me6_130** · 01-14-2017, 06:35 AM

I like items from mint to used but good condition. Anyhow, I sometimes buy ruins very cheap and restore them, so can be sold not too expensive to reenactors or younger collectors who cannot afford top items. They are happy and so am I, as I get some money that helps me buying what I like. Polka dots or lime green, there are many tastes and I don't really think they should be wrong....The only one I don't really like is the guy who does THIS

He should be sent to a court-martial and shot immediately!!!!

Carles

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**Sgt Bilko** · 01-14-2017, 08:01 AM

Polishing or painting - it's all grist for the mill. But not for me thanks!

**AndyC** · 01-14-2017, 09:13 AM

Originally posted by Sgt Bilko View Post

Polishing or painting - it's all grist for the mill. But not for me thanks!

I´ll agree, IMO destroyed binocular

Andy

**MrZeiss** · 01-15-2017, 04:37 PM

Understatement

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from...71399&_sacat=0

Apparently missing some paint

Mr Zeiss

**Sgt Bilko** · 01-15-2017, 06:56 PM

Just a bit - will we soon see it looking like new?

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