Old kahles quality?

I recently aquired a old steel bodied Kahles Helia S 6x42 that came on a rifle I bought. From what I can glean from the Internet it was most likely 70-80s vintage.

My question is is it worth keeping on the rifle? How do these old scopes compare in terms of optics and durability compared to more modern offerings? I'm mainly worried about it not holding zero or fogging midway though a remote trip!!

Currently have it in the freezer to see if it fogs.... also the thicker posts of the reticle have some fine 'fuzz' on them. It's not bad but is this a sign of any other underlying issue?

In board daylight the image looks brighter and sharper than a new Redfield....

Interested to hear people's thoughts. Cheers

No personal experience at all but you know what they say 'you won't know till you give it a try' :D

I've got several old Kahles on rifles, two that get a lot of use in all weathers are 2-7 varipowers and neither have ever fogged or lost zero. I had a fixed 4x for years and that did need fixed once, it lost ability to hold zero.

I recently tested a 2-7 and a 3-9 Kahles against several other scopes for low light and they both beat off all but the top of the line Jap glass (Sightron Siii).

Someone did tell me once the fuzz is a fungus that will grow over time and one of mine looks like it is "infected" but it hasn't changed much at all that I can see.

Kahles will still repair these older scopes better than new but it does cost.

Used a 4x Kahles for around 34yrs recreational and professionlly, put it through absolute hell. I still regret selling it on but the ol eyes do change.
They are amazing when the light is getting buggered,sharp as and were built to last.
Unless it is one of the non image moving jobs I'd hang on to it. I was once told about the so called fuzzy thing around the reticle,reckoned it had to let in moisture for it to happen,dont know about that one eh.

I have three Kahles scopes two older a 8x56 reticle moving and a 2.5x that had been abused by our fine Police force on a Sako .222 it is on my 9.3x62 and holds zero
perfectly the third scope is a 3-12x56 of 90's vintage haven't used it much but all three of them are real bright with great resolution and excellent contrast,
The 6x42 is one of the most popular scopes in Europe any Euro brand will be very well made there is a lot of competition in that power range no company
would sell a below par 6x42, my 6X is a Pecar 6x48 made in 1972 that is not as good as the Kahles but is better than any US made 6x

I have a few new ones and have had the old ones. Hunty1 Is yours a steel tube or the beer aluminium ? The steel were not sealed as well. The reticle on yours is silver wire and not etched glass. I'd say yours is steel tube and is not airtight hence the corrosion on the reticle. They bring good money here if ok. 450 plus. If in get external condition get a quote from Kaehler to refurb and seal as long as you have a place for a 6 x. Great scopes for .222 etc


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Originally Posted by Dicko

I have a few new ones and have had the old ones. Hunty1 Is yours a steel tube or the beer aluminium ? The steel were not sealed as well. The reticle on yours is silver wire and not etched glass. I'd say yours is steel tube and is not airtight hence the corrosion on the reticle. They bring good money here if ok. 450 plus. If in get external condition get a quote from Kaehler to refurb and seal as long as you have a place for a 6 x. Great scopes for .222 etc


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Your dead right! Freezer test resulted in internal fogging, so not airtight 😐. Overall condition of the scope is excellent, lens are unmarked and the bluing on the body is in really good nick for the age of it.

Tube is 1 inch rather than 26mm which is suprising but makes life a lot easier! Would like to put it on a BSA 7x57 so might have to try and find out if reconditioning is a viable option.

Definitely get it refurbished, top scope, will beat most modern scopes and look great on a BSA

Hunty1, apologies for the random words of text! Get a quote from Kaehler for s repair. I would only go ahead if it is a image moving scope. would be a great scope on your 7mm.


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You don't want that old thing, heavy blah blah blah old etc

Tell ya what, I'll swap it for a box of piss. A rough OLD scope like that would only be worth a 24 pack of speights at best, shit I'm generous.
It's a win-win. I get rid of bad beer and you get rid of old scope.
And it's fixed power ffs.

Wirehunt beat me to it with the low ball offer :) I'll up the bid to 24 Waikato

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Originally Posted by Wirehunt

You don't want that old thing, heavy blah blah blah old etc

Tell ya what, I'll swap it for a box of piss. A rough OLD scope like that would only be worth a 24 pack of speights at best, shit I'm generous.
It's a win-win. I get rid of bad beer and you get rid of old scope.
And it's fixed power ffs.

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Hahah @Wirehunt you can't even step it up to Emerson's😉

Found a guy in wellington who can overall the scope for a reasonable cost. Might see how it goes.

@Dicko how do I know if it's moving image or not?

Cheers

If its not image moving the cross-hairs wont be centered if you wind on quite a bit of windage. PM sent about the wellington scope guy.

Tent man is on the money re image moving


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Originally Posted by Pointer

Wirehunt beat me to it with the low ball offer :) I'll up the bid to 24 Waikato

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Now your just plain insulting the poor bugger😆

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This guy might be a good option for those looking for Kahles repairs . . . . About Malcolm

Cheers

thanks for that Tentman, i'll flick him an email also!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pointer

Wirehunt beat me to it with the low ball offer :) I'll up the bid to 24 Waikato

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Now that is a trade that would leave a 'bad taste in your mouth.'