Naz

Adrian, just get the ep fixed on the back and use the existing focusing on the lens.

I did that several years ago with a cheap 500mm mirror lens by drilling a hole in a plastic end cap, worked OK. You would just have to use the focus on the lens to move the lens far enough forward to achieve focus.

Jessops used to sell an adaptor with an ep fitted, not seen one for years. It would make a reasonable cheap grab and go.

With documentation etc..I'd give it to the grand kid's as an investment.

Nice one Mick

If the kids want it, they can pay for it

naz

My oldest astro gear is 1961 3" Achromatic refractor 40" focus. This scope was hand made J.K.M.Holmes & Co of Bedford St. North Shields, Northumberland. ( I know that N.Shields is now Tyneside).

I have all the documentation, including the order acknowledgement, receipt for scope £23. 12s. 6d ( £12.62 in decimal), p&p was 15s. 0d, ( 75p decimal), came with a 1/2inch Super Huyghenian eyepiece, ( in brass, with RAS thread)

Scope was ordered on the 20th Sept. on the 14 Nov. the guy got an apology for the delay, to quote " at the moment we are heavily overwhelmed with orders" and then they go on to say "these instruments cannot be mass produced and individual care must be taken". Better tell our friends in the east then!

The next day, 15th Nov. it was shipped.

The optics are quite good, not coated, CA as you might expect, but, (with thanks to Arthur (Ambermile)) with modern ep's, can be compared favourably with most modern mid level equipment.

The only draw back, excuse the pun, focus is by a draw tube, and that so far has limited its use.

Although I have only had this scope for about 3 years, I got it through the small adds in a local paper where we used to live, for what the guy paid for it, forty years before!

Don't think I will get rid of it, could make a decent guide scope.

Apart from that the oldest other astro gear is my eyes!!

naz