High prices for Old Gear!!! [Archive]

seahunter

January 24th, 2003, 08:48 PM

On a recent internet auction site, a 2 hose regulator from the late 50's was sold for $611US (about $1000CDN). This regulator sold originally for about $50. It was not even a particularly unique model other than having a plastic body. Other more rare models of these old beauties have sold for over $2500US.

My point is that vintage scuba gear is very hot now. I think it's great that divers are interested in the history of scuba gear. The old stuff is neat to look at, fun to use and getting very valuable.

I have a large collection of vintage scuba gear (that's anything more than 25 years old) including every 2 hose regulator sold in North America, dozens of BC's, gauges, masks, fins and snorkels, spearguns, knives, lights, cameras and a lot more. I have many textbooks, catalogues, service manuals, comics, books and magazines including every issue of SDM (#1 is probably worth $2000US). Of real interest is the collection of Sea Hunt memorabilia and the unusual stuff - games, kids scuba units, communicators, movie posters, etc. The list is endless. I would be happy to discuss the fad of collecting old scuba stuff and to share my knowledge with other collectors.

I have quite a bit for trade too so let me know what you think, what you have or what you're looking for.
Would anyone in the TO area be interested in joining me for a vintage scuba dive? It's a popular pastime among some of my friends in the US and a lot of fun. You'll never forget diving the Morrison using 50 year old 2 hose regulator!

canuckdiver

January 24th, 2003, 08:58 PM

ok alec!
I'll bite! LOL

I'm looking for aqua-lung calypso IV regulators (1st and 2nd)

I have a working healthways scuba-star for trade ;)

BTW, I also am a major vintage scuba buff

seahunter

January 24th, 2003, 10:25 PM

Good to hear from you canuckdiver!
I suppose there is one problem with trying to trade with me. I have a lot of the most commons items already.

I don't know if a Calypos IV qualifies as a vintage regulator but I'm sure I have a couple. Why have you picked that specific model? I have several original model AquaLung Calypso regulators with the full metal exhaust tee and built-in pressure gauge on the first stage. They're a heck of a lot more interesting and genuine vintage collectors items. I'll look and send you a private message with pictures.

I have a new Healthways Scuba Star in the box with owners manual and service guide so I'm OK there. What else do you have?
Don't be afraid to mention even very small items. Sometimes the small weird stuff is the best! Do you have any knives, lights or weight belts?

The Scuba Star is a classic. Perhaps someone else has something to trade to you for it and then I'll trade a Calypso to you for that item. Hopefully this thread will get a lot of the vintage scuba collectors together. There are a lot out there.

canuckdiver

January 28th, 2003, 12:35 PM

well, I chose the calypso XIV because it was my first reg, it is sturdy as a tank, easy to service, and I still currently use it.

would be interested in any aqua-lung regs, conshelf or calypso from this era. ;)

I don't have many little bits alec, you and I have previously gone over most of them ;)

seahunter

January 28th, 2003, 04:05 PM

I have a lot of USD stuff from the 70's and later.
I'm getting a box together now to be organized and posted on eBay.
Call me at 1-800-324-3483 or private email me and I'll send you a list before I sell it.

seahunter

February 2nd, 2003, 12:49 AM

An old steel 50 cf tank with a single hose regulator just sold for $600 on eBay.
I have lots of steel tanks from the 50's and 60's. They generally sell for $100.
I also have dozens of old single hose regs from the 60's in good working condition that are worth about $75 each.
What makes one regulator from the same date worth so much more than another?

Bob3

February 2nd, 2003, 01:05 AM

What makes one regulator from the same date worth so much more than another?
Having the original factory box & paperwork and the reg still having talc on the hoses can quadruple the price.

Some models are harder to find than others.

Some folks like to specialize in just one brand, if they see a sweet item they may just HAVE to have it.

My soft spot is for Nemrod Snark III regs.
;)

Bubble Boy

February 2nd, 2003, 03:32 AM

Bob3 once bubbled...

Having the original factory box & paperwork and the reg still having talc on the hoses can quadruple the price.

Some models are harder to find than others.

Some folks like to specialize in just one brand, if they see a sweet item they may just HAVE to have it.

My soft spot is for Nemrod Snark III regs.
;)
I just threw a set of those in the garbage last Tueday....are you saying they were worth something?

Bob3

February 2nd, 2003, 03:55 PM

I'll have to go garbage picking over by you, lemmie know next time they have a garage cleaning thing, eh?

GTADiver

February 3rd, 2003, 01:51 AM

Bob3 once bubbled...
I'll have to go garbage picking over by you, lemmie know next time they have a garage cleaning thing, eh?
I have seen Bubble Boys Garage....you cant get a car in it because it is full of dive gear. I dont even think you can get a barbeque in there. But he does have a path to the beer fridge.

seahunter

February 3rd, 2003, 09:51 AM

At my age I now know much too late that you shouldn't throw anything out Bubbleboy!

There are 3 versions of the Snark Bob3. Drop in some time and we can look at them and reminisce. I often take one of them into my equipment class to show how beautiful the older regulators were. The Nemrod Snarks were among the most elaborate. You can see them on the vintagescuba site.
For some reason they do not get the big bucks of some of the rarer US regs. You can buy a Nemrod Snark for about $200 which is pretty good as two hose regs go.

canuckdiver

February 4th, 2003, 12:22 PM

on a slightly related subject....

would anybody have ANY old 1st stage single hose regs around?
any condition is fine, working or not, main thing is that they have to be cheap.

seahunter

February 4th, 2003, 01:00 PM

Are you looking for the first stage only or an entire reg?
I have several in different states and I usually sell them for about $200 if they are fairly new, in good shape and ready to dive. For non-working about 1/2 that. I have lots of first stages and second stages and hoses from which you could make all the regulators you want.
Private email me if you're interested.

canuckdiver

February 4th, 2003, 01:34 PM

first stage only, mainly interested in the yoke portion.

no offence alec, but looking for quite a bit cheaper than that, mainly looking for the type that bubble boy would be "throwing away" ;)

GeekDiver

February 4th, 2003, 01:47 PM

I've got an old Conshelf VII and scubapro reg as well as a scubapro bendomatic if anyones intrested

Geek

seahunter

February 5th, 2003, 10:27 AM

Great Geek!
That's exactly the kind of info I thought this thread might eventually share - how many readers have any idea what a bendomatic is and why it's called that?
Bendos usually sell for between $50 and $200 depending on their condition and age. There were earlier models than the Scubapro model from which it was copied - all made by SOS but slightly different. I suppose Scubapro gave it legitimacy. Is it still in the case? Do you have the instructions? That kind of info makes a big difference as bob3 indicated.
Send me a picture and I'll make an offer. Include pics of the regs and I might just buy them as well.

I'm sorry Canuck, it may get harder and harder to find throw-aways and I'm partly to blame for that. If you want just a yoke and retainer (the part that holds the yoke to the body) I may have one or two you can have. Is it only the Conshelf yokes you want or any brand? Do you need the body too and how complete if so?
Where are you located? I'll see what I have and you can pick them up or pay the postage.

canuckdiver

February 5th, 2003, 11:17 AM

well alec, your efforts to push the prices of old gear up have been very effective. this is exactly the same as the classic car, boat and motorcycle industry. Speculators trying to make money off the industry is what pushes the prices up, and keeps people with a sincere interest from being able to afford to participate.

I appreciate the offer of the yokes and retainers however, I'm looking for pieces for building a system for filling things like tires and so on from a scuba tank, so I will need a complete 1st stage, does not matter what brand, and thinking about transfill systems, so looking for parts and pieces that I can afford to write off if I mess them up.

Butch103

February 5th, 2003, 10:17 PM

and I remembered that a client had given me her late husbands dive mask. She said form the "60"s, but I haven't a clue. It is US Divers "Aqua-Lung". I have looked for other marks or numbers and I cannot find any. A nice "wrap-around" mask. Solid lens on black rubber (?) with heavy white brass frame holding in the lens.....Neat mask, perhaps someone sometime can tell the approx vintage.......

seahunter

February 6th, 2003, 04:52 AM

Please don't misunderstand me canuck, I did not push the prices up. I've been collecting vintage scuba gear since before it was vintage. Most of my regulators other than a few I acquired in the last two years cost me nothing or at most $25.
Whether they are worth $25 or $2500 is inmaterial to me - I collected them because I wanted them. They are not for sale. I did not collect them to make money. I show them to many other divers and everyone enjoys seeing and learning about them.

The recent jump in prices is the result of hundreds of other divers deciding they want to recapture their youth and get the 'reg they used to have'. The phenomena is the same as the rocketing prices in hockey cards, antique toys, motorcycles or cars. My contribution has only been to advise divers like yourself about the value of old gear you may have so you would not get taken advantage of. Surely you won't criticize me for telling a diver their old mask is worth more than the $5 someone has offered them for it? Even if that someone is you, my advise is only fair.
I did not contribute to the increase in prices.

When I was in my teens in the mid 60's I enjoyed Classic Comics Illustrated. Some of you may remember them. I had most of my own and managed to find the missing ones so I had a complete set. They origionally sold for 15 cents each. 40 years later the early issues in good condition are worth $500 to $1000. I had no idea that would happen or else I would surely have collected several complete sets.

I do have a couple of 1st stages that would work for you. Lots of divers do the same thing. You can use the air at 140psi for many things including filling tires and running air tools. I also have the adapter so you can use your BC inflator hose to connect to the tire filler, air gun or any other air tools.
I'll give you a complete 1st stage that you'll need to service and make useable. If you want one ready to go I'll sell it to you for $50.

seahunter

February 6th, 2003, 05:01 AM

Butch, the mask you describe is from the early 70's and in really good condition might get as much as $150 although $75 to $100 is probably would you should expect. Originally it sold for $39.
I imagine it's like the one at http://www.vintagescuba.com/al/almask6.html .

If it is the model that covers the mouth and has openings for a scuba regulator, it would be much more valuable. See http://www.vintagescuba.com/misc/miscmask1.html .

Let me know if it is either of these. There are other models to compare on the same site.

canuckdiver

February 6th, 2003, 11:12 AM

apologies to seahunter for getting a little crusty in my last post. :(

My frustration is not with him, it is basically with the industry. I see a trend in the vintage scuba equipment that is very similar to what I have seen in the vintage motorcycle, car, and boat industry where speculators get involved, and turn out of date (but still useful) equipment into collectors items, and push the prices up by hoarding the equipment until the value is way out of reach of the people that have an actual interest, and now it is an "investment".

sorry guys, I let my opinions get the better of me there again

Butch103

February 6th, 2003, 11:39 AM

http://www.vintagescuba.com/al/almask6.html

This is the mask. Not for sale but I am grateful for the links and the info. I am thinking i may start to collect vintage gear. I am not really concerned with collecting valuable gear, but create a collection.

My wife says go for it, she has started a vintage collection...says i am the first piece......???????????:confused: Not sure what she means.....

Butch103

February 6th, 2003, 11:41 AM

is the skirting around the mask rubber? or an early silicon?.....Also what is the metal, white brass? or stainless steel?.....Thanks....

PS can I still use it if the skirting is intact, and without any cracks breaks etc...

dmdalton

February 6th, 2003, 12:38 PM

seahunter once bubbled...
At my age I now know much too late that you shouldn't throw anything out Bubbleboy!

There are 3 versions of the Snark Bob3. Drop in some time and we can look at them and reminisce. I often take one of them into my equipment class to show how beautiful the older regulators were. The Nemrod Snarks were among the most elaborate. You can see them on the vintagescuba site.
For some reason they do not get the big bucks of some of the rarer US regs. You can buy a Nemrod Snark for about $200 which is pretty good as two hose regs go.

I had one of the original Nemrod Snark III in the brushed finish with the blue hoses and the straight mouthpiece. It's serial number was in the 5000's. My buddy got it used in 63 or 64 and left it at my house in about 67.

I've still got my first reg the Voit Polaris 50, bought for $50 in 1962. Still works. Just got new hoses and duckbill for it from Dan Berringer (sp?) of Vintage Scuba Supply. Also a Bendomatic with instructions AND the letter SP sent to the owners telling them to change the way they were using it, no doubt due to cases of DCS.

Dave D

seahunter

February 6th, 2003, 10:00 PM

Sure you can use it butch. Some collectors will argue that these old items should NOT be used but stored away carefully. I have lots of items that I won't use and keep them out of harm's way but I enjoy using and sharing the other stuff. I offer regularly a Vintage Scuba course in which we learn a lot about old scuba gear and then try a bunch of it in our pool. Everybody loves to dive with 2 hose regs and other old stuff. Graduates of that course are then invited to a Vintage Dive in open water where we use old wet suits, masks, fins, tanks and 2 hose regs and go diving. It's a hoot and we take lots of pictures so you can show your diving buddies. No harm is done and most of the gear I use is seconds anyway so nothing is really lost.

The skirt is definately rubber. Silicon didn't appear until the late 70's.
The band is usually plated steel. Much later they used stainless steel.

seahunter

February 6th, 2003, 10:04 PM

That sounds like a nice Snark DM!
Be sure to rinse it well in tap water after any use.

Dan BARRINGER is a good friend and is very knowledgable about old scuba. He has quite a collection too and a very informative web site. The only real difference between Dan and myself is that he's trying to make a business of it. He actually financed the manufacture of hoses and other parts for the old regulators.

seahunter

February 6th, 2003, 10:06 PM

BTW DM, the Voit is quite valuable now - probably worth around $200. A Voit 50 Fathom (same age and style but plastic) just sold at auction for over $600.

normoxic

February 11th, 2003, 03:04 PM

Hi SeaHUnter

I have this old double hose regulator my grandfather gave to me a few years back. The regulator is still in its wooden box with paper work and on the front of it says Le Liquid air Cousteau. Is this thing valuable?.

Thanks

Normoxic

Nitrox Junkie

February 12th, 2003, 04:01 PM

Hello Seahunter and to everyone else that has participated in this thread. Since we are here talking about vintage dive gear, I thought I would run a couple of items acoss you to hopefully find the age..
First item is a Regulator which is all metal (chrome). It has a red sticker that says CALYPSO. The mouth piece has two ears coming off it with snaps and it has rubber exhaust ports. On the purge button it says "Cousteau-Gagnan"/ "Aqua lung" / "U.S. Divers co."/ There is also a ring around the outside of the first stage that seems to hold two halves together. I have never had it apart so don't know for sure... The first stage Says "AQUA-LUNG". It has what I think is a pressure valve. There is a needle that pop's up when it is pressurized and has a frame around the needle that has the numbers, 4, 3 & 2. A pretty simple looking unit. No other port openings. The knob has the same writing as the purge button on the first stage.. I will post a picture later.
The second item is a set of doubles. Not sure of the Cubic feet but they look like about 30cf bottles. there is a U.S. divers manifold connection them w/ a air knob and yolk in the middle. The tanks are black. There is also the old reserve rod attatched. Could you tell me what I am looking at here? I will also post a pic of these but will have to wait till after March 1st because they are still up in Michigan and that will be my next visit up that way.
Thanks in advance for your help!

Jeff "Great lakes diver"

seahunter

February 12th, 2003, 06:48 PM

You've got a nice mid to late 60's Aqua-Lung scuba unit.
The regulator is one of the most popular models ever made and was produced from the mid 60's until the early 80's. It's the Calypso and yours wasn't the earliest model which had metal exhaust and no needle guage. I'd guess yours at about 1972-5. It was one of the early piston first stages and was renowned for its reliability. Later models had ports. Yours doesn't because there were no SPG's or octopuses so no need for ports!
The last model had a swivel with several ports and a smooth chrome shape and finish. Does yours have the steering wheel yoke screw? It was a classic even if impractical.
Twin tanks were very popular in the mid 70's and every diver wanted to wear a pair. Yours are likely 50's. Can you tell if they are steel or aluminum? If they have flat bottoms they are aluminum which I suspect from the color and size. Do they have a plastic back pack or just straps attached to the tanks? Twin 80's were also available but very heavy so the twin 50 set was very popular. Also they looked like the tanks that Mike Nelson of Seahunt wore so lots of divers had to have them!
I'd love to see some pictures and then I could verify what you have.
I wish I could tell you this stuff is very valuable but its value is more in the pleasure you get out of it.
The reg might fetch $100 if in great shape.
The twin tanks might sell for as much as $200.

Let's see some more old junk. Some of it is very valuable.

Nitrox Junkie

February 13th, 2003, 06:10 PM

Hi Seahunter
Thanks for the response.. The Reg does have a steering wheel type knob that has tread which reminds me of the tire tread on old military jeeps. You say they could be 50's but I think that is pushing it. I use a steel 40cf sling tank that is about the same height but a lot wider. I looks alot like my al 30 pony that I have.. I will have to see. The tanks are steel and have the round bottom like my Faber 108 and it has a platic backplate with straps attatched. I will post pics later. Thanks again.

Jeff "Great lakes diver"

Butch103

February 13th, 2003, 08:36 PM

is the "old stuff" becoming more expensive than the new stuff???:D

And should we hang on to the new stuff until it becomes old??

Just some things to make make you go Hmmmmmmmmm

:bonk:

canuckdiver

February 13th, 2003, 08:44 PM

sounds that way butch ;)

think about it this way, 20 years ago, you couldn't GIVE away an edsel :rolleyes:

Butch103

February 13th, 2003, 11:33 PM

once again I guess that is why my wife hangs on to me.......=-)

hehehe she feels that the older I get, the more valuable I will be..........

Hope she doesn't discover that some thngs lose value are they get older....like raw meat.......:confused:

seahunter

February 14th, 2003, 10:35 AM

Nitrox, the 'steering wheel' puts it into the late 60's or early 70's assuming the knob is original. Does this look familiar...

http://www.vintagescuba.com/al/alcaly1.html ?

The tank and back pack sounds a bit strange so the pics will help.

Boy Butch, if I'd known what was going to happen I would have never thrown out anything I had as a kid.
My bicycle which cost me $60 is now worth $1000; my electric train cost about $29 and now brings $250; my first motorcycle (1966 Ducati) cost me $750 new and is now worth up to $10,000.
Do you remember the Commodore computer that was sold at Canadian Tire? If you have one please email me privately and I'll buy it!! It's worth more than a complete new PC system.

So your wife thinks you're raw meat?! Is that a philosophical comment or based on something more concrete like the smell of your dry suit?

Nitrox Junkie

February 14th, 2003, 02:02 PM

That's it Seahunter. Thanks. Since you have found a pic of my regulator I won't have to post that one but will still post one of the double tank setup for you to analize....

Jeff "Great lakes diver"

KARL NEWMAN

November 17th, 2010, 07:21 PM

Who do i talk to about selling my dads antique scuba gear in great shape.

NorthernPike

November 19th, 2010, 02:26 PM

Thanks Seahunter, for reminding me that I am now officially OLD!
I have 2 Calypso Js that my brother and I bought new in the very early 70s.
Back then before SPGs, I thought anyone who dove without a reserve was nuts. The built in J allowed you to use tanks with K valves such as rentals, and still have reserve.
Following your link I found my trusty knife, also bought new back then, that I still use on every dive. And now its called vintage.
I guess that makes me vintage too. :D
This stuff is modern compared my Dad's old gear which I still have.
I haven't had the Pirelli dry suit out in at least 20 years.
To the poster looking for a 1st stage tire inflator, you can usually find stuff like that at the OUE Scuba Swap for $20 or so.

Vintage Scuba Online. Sea Hunt, Voit, Healthways, Sportsway, Aqua Lung and More! (http://www.vintagescuba.com/al/usdknife2.html)