Post by crimediver on Sept 15, 2006 18:04:11 GMT -8
I stumbled upon an auction on ebay a couple of weeks ago for a Conshelf 6 with a technical manual. I clicked on a blurry photo that showed a photo of a reg whose detail could not be discerned. But the one thing I could see was that the regulator was black. I could tell that the manual was of military format. Well, it looked like I might have stumbled across the legendary non-mag reg. Or could it be a cleverly knock-off ? With slightly trembling hands I placed my bid. I had to bid on it six hours before the auction ended, as I had to go to work. I knew I would not be able to snipe it and felt that I did not have a chance to get it.
Imagine my surprise to discover I had won the auction, and for a ridiculously low price. I mean it was almost free. But now came the waiting game.
I paid immediately and waited. Would it be authentic? Would it be in good shape ? Or would it be a total wreck?
Ten days later I still had not gotten the reg. I e-mailed the seller and asked for tracking info. No such number was available, but he did insure it. Doubts began to creep into my mind. I imagined some other party e-mailing the seller to ask if the reg had the words "NON-MAGNETIC" on it. I then pictured the seller doing some research on the reg and realizing he had not advertised it properly,deciding not to mail it and rebate my $$$$. He would later sell it as a non-mag and retire on the money.That scoundrel !!! Evil thoughts began to form in my mind. What would be the best method of revenge? More time passed and I gave up all hope of ever obtaining a non-mag without selling my house.
Today I eventually accepted my fate-I had been hoodwinked.
It was bound to happen sooner or later. But why did it have to happen on this item, of all the items I have ever bought ?
Defeated, I went out to the mailbox today to get the bills but there was a large box jammed into the mailbox. Could it be? No way. Well, maybe. Oh yeah, Alright! There it was! I soon held a beautiful NOS vintage non-mag in my hot little hands. It was the real McCoy. There was the tiny trident stamped into the yoke. The filter was bright and looked like a newly minted penny. A few light scratches where the paint was off revealed the gleam of brass/ The decals were all there. CONSHELF VI MIL-R-24169 NON-MAGNETIC MILITARY REGULATOR. The yoke screw even had the OD color anodizing on it. This little gem had never been wet. The manual made in 9-67 had all the tech info on the reg as well as the double tank setup and manifold. Suddenly the seller no longer seemed like the sinister, slippery miscreant I envisioned. He was a good guy, a wonderful man. Man, I love this guy. Glad I had not busted him on his feedback.
Well it looked like the post office took 13 days to get the package here. But my search is over, I got the reg I have been looking for and in excellent condition. Sooner or later if you look long enough and Neptune smiles on you your wish will come true.
Imagine my surprise to discover I had won the auction, and for a ridiculously low price. I mean it was almost free. But now came the waiting game.
I paid immediately and waited. Would it be authentic? Would it be in good shape ? Or would it be a total wreck?
Ten days later I still had not gotten the reg. I e-mailed the seller and asked for tracking info. No such number was available, but he did insure it. Doubts began to creep into my mind. I imagined some other party e-mailing the seller to ask if the reg had the words "NON-MAGNETIC" on it. I then pictured the seller doing some research on the reg and realizing he had not advertised it properly,deciding not to mail it and rebate my $$$$. He would later sell it as a non-mag and retire on the money.That scoundrel !!! Evil thoughts began to form in my mind. What would be the best method of revenge? More time passed and I gave up all hope of ever obtaining a non-mag without selling my house.
Today I eventually accepted my fate-I had been hoodwinked.
It was bound to happen sooner or later. But why did it have to happen on this item, of all the items I have ever bought ?
Defeated, I went out to the mailbox today to get the bills but there was a large box jammed into the mailbox. Could it be? No way. Well, maybe. Oh yeah, Alright! There it was! I soon held a beautiful NOS vintage non-mag in my hot little hands. It was the real McCoy. There was the tiny trident stamped into the yoke. The filter was bright and looked like a newly minted penny. A few light scratches where the paint was off revealed the gleam of brass/ The decals were all there. CONSHELF VI MIL-R-24169 NON-MAGNETIC MILITARY REGULATOR. The yoke screw even had the OD color anodizing on it. This little gem had never been wet. The manual made in 9-67 had all the tech info on the reg as well as the double tank setup and manifold. Suddenly the seller no longer seemed like the sinister, slippery miscreant I envisioned. He was a good guy, a wonderful man. Man, I love this guy. Glad I had not busted him on his feedback.
Well it looked like the post office took 13 days to get the package here. But my search is over, I got the reg I have been looking for and in excellent condition. Sooner or later if you look long enough and Neptune smiles on you your wish will come true.
Thanks for the fun story Crimediver. 
William 