After some 12 months "tarnishing time" since the necessary evil of being cleaned up, the old brass refractor is beginning to once again mellow to a nice golden sheen ...
Circa 1880 - 1890 Berry&Mackay 3" F15 brass refractor on library stand
Thanks Lewis & Laurie, for the past year I have only been able to touch the scope with cotton gloves on ........ I'll give it another year or two before using the scope again...........
I thought I better take some photos of my 16" before I part with it, since I now prefer Apo's, this just doesn't get used any more.
It is fitted with:
1: Astrozap Shroud.
2: Farpoint collimation screw and spring upgrade, a must for these scopes.
3: Stellarvue 8x50 RA illuminated viewfinder and a 40mW GL laser.
4: JMI Track-N-Train
5: JMI Counterweights.
6: Lockable high quality wheels
7: Secondary mirror cover
8: Scope cover
Nice 16" inch LB ..... always wanted to look thru' one of those but never had the opportunity.
Flash.....
The optics are great Flash, but the mechanics was crappy until I fixed it with the JMI T-N-T and the Farpoint collimation screw and spring upgrade. It then became a very usable scope. The JMI T-N-T made all the difference, and I would highly recommend anyone that has a LB to do this upgrade. Although, JMI are bringing out goto for the smaller LB's, but have yet to get to the 16". I will be at JMI in May and will be talking to Steve about this, although my interest in this upgrade has waned since deciding to sell it. However, if I decide otherwise, I would definitely upgrade to the GOTO.
Had the pleasure of meeting Ian Fry today and walked away with one of his toys.......
Thanks Ian for looking after it so well, it really is 'unmarked' as you advertised.
Here is my 'as new' FS128 F8.1 with my little Tak ( FC76DCSV F7.5 )
I tried hard to resist but Force is very strong in this big Tak ......
Looks great Matt. Let us know what you think compared to the TSA120.
It will be a little while as I don't have a mount that will carry it at the moment but I will be keen to see the differences in visual use. I have resolved not to get into imaging so a little colour, if present, won't bother me.
I asked my wife recently what she was getting me for our 30th anniversary (next week) ...... she just told me to get my own present, so this was it .....
I hope that this was what she meant otherwise I might need some
It will be a little while as I don't have a mount that will carry it at the moment but I will be keen to see the differences in visual use. I have resolved not to get into imaging so a little colour, if present, won't bother me.
I asked my wife recently what she was getting me for our 30th anniversary (next week) ...... she just told me to get my own present, so this was it .....
I hope that this was what she meant otherwise I might need some
I know a really nice guy with 3 surplus to requirement EQ mounts... I reckon the Sphinx would drive this nicely.
Just sayin'
Nice acquisition Matt. Should have pestered him for a certain FL102S
Very nice system Hugh, now where have I seen that TSA before?
Don't forget to put an eyepiece into it at Lostock, no point letting the STT have all the fun.
but I will be keen to see the differences in visual use. I have resolved not to get into imaging so a little colour, if present, won't bother me.
otherwise I might need some 
... lovely score there mate ....
