vintage detectors

[NOLA_Ken]

vintage detectors got the rest, pics added..

A couple weeks ago I was lucky enough to get a really good deal on seven vintage detectors that were in the collection of the late Reg Sniff. I'm thinking I'll probably keep a couple of them and sell the rest eventually after I've tried them all out. I figure there are others who would enjoy having one of their old memory machines back too, and why should I have all the fun?

So anyway, I spoke to the seller and I'm going to meet with her again tomorrow to pick up a couple more that I was interested in and if we can work out a reasonable and fair price I may get a pile of broken machines and some tubs filled with coils, shafts and other parts. My idea is to go through it all and try to identify everything and then put it up for sale online and I'm just wondering how much interest there might be in vintage parts for these old machines. I'm not expecting to get rich off of them, but maybe make gas and snack money for other adventures out of the deal and have a little fun in the process.

So what do y'all think? Is it something people would be interested in or would I just end up with a pile of stuff taking up more room in my storage forever?

 

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[Mackaydon]

You'll never know for sure until you try. Go for it !
Don.....

 

[DeepseekerADS]

Well, I recently purchased a circa 1983 Garrett ADS3 from a member here.

 

[billb]

Still have a Fisher 1210 and silver turtle and silver Sabre from years ago..

 

[aa battery]

Garrett ace 100 my 1st

 

[Clad2Silver]

A couple weeks ago I was lucky enough to get a really good deal on seven vintage detectors that were in the collection of the late Reg Sniff. I'm thinking I'll probably keep a couple of them and sell the rest eventually after I've tried them all out. I figure there are others who would enjoy having one of their old memory machines back too, and why should I have all the fun?

So anyway, I spoke to the seller and I'm going to meet with her again tomorrow to pick up a couple more that I was interested in and if we can work out a reasonable and fair price I may get a pile of broken machines and some tubs filled with coils, shafts and other parts. My idea is to go through it all and try to identify everything and then put it up for sale online and I'm just wondering how much interest there might be in vintage parts for these old machines. I'm not expecting to get rich off of them, but maybe make gas and snack money for other adventures out of the deal and have a little fun in the process.

So what do y'all think? Is it something people would be interested in or would I just end up with a pile of stuff taking up more room in my storage forever?

Fix them up, put them up for sale and see what happens. that's the only way you'll know for sure.

 

[Megalodon]

I admire what you are considering. Too often, we need some part of a machine and find out that even if the company is still in business, they haven't supported that model in decades. It can be as simple as a knob or battery tray (thinking here about the old garrett ADS battery trays) or switch/toggles etc. IMHO, a working antique detector should be easy to sell - especially if the cosmetics are fine. The parts machines will have value too - especially if you can test the electrical parts in a working example.

Some people may enjoy using a detector that brings back memories. I still occasionally use some of my antique Fenwick and Orvis fishing rods that are over 50 years old.

IMHO, it sounds like a fun project if you enjoy making someone's day more than making a lot of money. We throw away way too much stuff.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

I admire what you are considering. Too often, we need some part of a machine and find out that even if the company is still in business, they haven't supported that model in decades. It can be as simple as a knob or battery tray (thinking here about the old garrett ADS battery trays) or switch/toggles etc. IMHO, a working antique detector should be easy to sell - especially if the cosmetics are fine. The parts machines will have value too - especially if you can test the electrical parts in a working example.

Some people may enjoy using a detector that brings back memories. I still occasionally use some of my antique Fenwick and Orvis fishing rods that are over 50 years old.

IMHO, it sounds like a fun project if you enjoy making someone's day more than making a lot of money. We throw away way too much stuff.

yeah I'm definitely not looking at it as a big money maker, more like just some spare cash for batteries and snacks and if I can get these parts back out into the world and to people who will get some use and enjoyment out of them then it's a good deal

 

[CASPER-2]

I got about 6-7 from the 70s
I started hunting at age 12 - 1975 with a used Compass 94B
always wanted a Bounty Hunter Red Baron - it was a hot machine in my area when it came out
found a brand new one on E bay few yrs back and got it cheap cause not many out there
knew what it was
put batteries in it and it caught on fire

 

[ToddsPoint]

I still have my 1981 White's 6000-D Coin Master. I can't find any coins around here with my Nox or AT so maybe I should try the "Coin Master". Problem is it takes 14 AA batteries! Gary

 

[NOLA_Ken]

I got about 6-7 from the 70s
I started hunting at age 12 - 1975 with a used Compass 94B
always wanted a Bounty Hunter Red Baron - it was a hot machine in my area when it came out
found a brand new one on E bay few yrs back and got it cheap cause not many out there
knew what it was
put batteries in it and it caught on fire

I have one here, I think it needs a little work but it didn't catch fire yet...

 

[NOLA_Ken]

I went and got a pile of stuff today, I haven't even begun to go through it but there's some cool stuff for sure.... Here's some pics

 

[NOLA_Ken]

ok, here we go with some early sorting pics.... There are a lot of coils not pictured because they don't have names on them, or they were his own home made coils... and there are more machines and parts to sort through still.... These are some highlights....

Bounty Hunter 1 and 2

 

[DeepseekerADS]

Problem is it takes 14 AA batteries! Gary

I know what you mean, my ADS III takes 6 - 9 volt batteries = pretty expensive for around 12 hours of active hunting.....

 

[CASPER-2]

I owned a Compass 77 also

ok, here we go with some early sorting pics.... There are a lot of coils not pictured because they don't have names on them, or they were his own home made coils... and there are more machines and parts to sort through still.... These are some highlights....

View attachment 1915448Bounty Hunter 1 and 2
View attachment 1915450
View attachment 1915451
View attachment 1915452
View attachment 1915453

 

[CASPER-2]

owned a Mark II also - my son used it when he was like 5-6 yrs
good machine for kids especially at the bch

ok, here we go with some early sorting pics.... There are a lot of coils not pictured because they don't have names on them, or they were his own home made coils... and there are more machines and parts to sort through still.... These are some highlights....

View attachment 1915448Bounty Hunter 1 and 2
View attachment 1915450
View attachment 1915451
View attachment 1915452
View attachment 1915453

 

[CASPER-2]

AWESOME !

I went and got a pile of stuff today, I haven't even begun to go through it but there's some cool stuff for sure.... Here's some pics
View attachment 1915419View attachment 1915420View attachment 1915421View attachment 1915422View attachment 1915423View attachment 1915424

 

[ToddsPoint]

You could start a detector museum. Gary

 

[Another.hole]

I still have my Nautilus

 

[Another.hole]

ok, here we go with some early sorting pics.... There are a lot of coils not pictured because they don't have names on them, or they were his own home made coils... and there are more machines and parts to sort through still.... These are some highlights....

View attachment 1915448Bounty Hunter 1 and 2
View attachment 1915450
View attachment 1915451
View attachment 1915452
View attachment 1915453

Compass was my first detector. Saved my money from mowing lawns and bought it. maybe 1981 or so?