vintage double 50's

[scuba70]

I've just aquired a set of double steel 50's. They originate from the late 60's. They are no longer serviceable, but they are visibly in great looking condition. They have a single band and original US divers back pack. These things are so cool looking! I was wondering if they might be worth anything, and if so, how much. I may just hang on to them just as a conversation piece. Any opinions would be welcome.

 

[Creed]

I've just aquired a set of double steel 50's. They originate from the late 60's. They are no longer serviceable, but they are visibly in great looking condition. They have a single band and original US divers back pack. These things are so cool looking! I was wondering if they might be worth anything, and if so, how much. I may just hang on to them just as a conversation piece. Any opinions would be welcome.

Why aren't they serviceable? Did they fail hydro?

 

[Nemrod]

What makes them not serviceable?

If they can be hydroed and possibly even if not they could be worth several hundred dollars. Double 50/45/38 vintage steel tanks are highly desireable to pre-BC divers.

N

 

[Thalassamania]

Double 50s was (is) a really cool setup.

 

[JEScholz]

 

[Nemrod]

I got a good idea, just send them to me and I will get you some pics--lol-- .

N

 

[Luis H]

I will pay for shipping... and I will post some really nice pictures with them, both top side and underwater.

 

[DennisS]

A friend of mine gave me a set of double 50's. First there was the hydro and VIP for two tanks, then I decided to go with backplate and wing,I wasn't using the horse collar anymore. Then I thought that was a lot of money for a set of doubles without a dual manifold. I got the dual manifold and then Luxfer came out with their trade in offer so I got the coupons and traded up to dual 80's. I now had a set of dual 80's like I trained on and I remembered why I used to like diving with singles when I wasn't training.
Anybody want to buy a dual manifold, bands, and a dive rite trek wing. I really like my PST 130 singles.

 

[Luis H]

A friend of mine gave me a set of double 50's. First there was the hydro and VIP for two tanks, then I decided to go with backplate and wing,I wasn't using the horse collar anymore. Then I thought that was a lot of money for a set of doubles without a dual manifold. I got the dual manifold and then Luxfer came out with their trade in offer so I got the coupons and traded up to dual 80's. I now had a set of dual 80's like I trained on and I remembered why I used to like diving with singles when I wasn't training.
Anybody want to buy a dual manifold, bands, and a dive rite trek wing. I really like my PST 130 singles.

I like double 50's, anything bigger and I want a Sherpa to carry them for me.
Also with doubles I prefer no back pack or back plate, just a harness. IMHO it is the most comfortable rig.
The only draw back is that up here in Maine I need a BC, so I end up using a horse colar, which is not bad...

 

[Nemrod]

Vintage double 50 would not work well with a BP/wing. The reason this size of double tank was once popular was that they were essentially neutral when rigged out, much like a standard steel 72, they were short, compact, low profile and had excellent balance. They were not doubled up for redundancy as are double sets today--it was an entirely different approach than we use today. They should be dived as intended with a single manifold, no BC or horsecollar on a SeaHunt original harness.

I just got a new UW camera so I am pretty sure I can get better pics than Luis and I will match his offer to ship--- ( I am just kidding).

N