Swarovski Habicht 8x30 GA (1st Version) | Fernglas | Binoculars | бинокль

Manufacturer: Swarovski, Wattens (Tirol - Austria) Application: Civil Era: 1980s Magnification: 8x Objective Lens Size: 30 mm Field of View: 8.5° - 150m at 1000m Specifics: The Swarovski Habicht 8×30 GA is one of the less common variants of Swarovski's long-lived Habicht Porro-prism binocular. The present example, serial number 8204, is of particular interest. The rubber-armoured Habichts had their own numerical sequence, separate from that used for the conventionally covered Habicht models. Collector research by John A. Roberts shows that early rubber-armoured Habichts used four- and subsequently five-digit serial numbers. Another known rubber-armoured 8×30 W carries serial number 9820. On the evidence currently available, number 8204 can therefore reasonably be assigned to the early 1980s, although the serial number alone does not provide an exact calendar year. This must not be confused with later serial numbers such as A8204… or B8204…. From 1991 Swarovski adopted an alphanumeric numbering system across the Habicht range. In that later system the first two digits following the letter form part of a date code. A number such as A8204…, for example, denotes an entirely different and much later period. The simple number 8204 belongs to the earlier, model-specific numerical system. The Origins of the GA Habicht Swarovski began introducing rubber-armoured versions of the Habicht in 1971. The designation GA stands for the German Gummiarmierung, or rubber armour. The treatment was intended to provide additional protection against knocks and abrasion while also improving grip in wet or cold conditions. The compact rubber-armoured 8×30 appeared later than the first GA models and was produced in considerably smaller quantities than some of the better-known Habicht versions. Both normal-field and wide-angle 8×30 variants are documented. The green armour gives the binocular a markedly different character from the familiar black leatherette-covered Habicht. Beneath it, however, remains the traditional metal-bodied Porro-prism construction. The Main Types For collecting purposes, the green Habicht 8×30 GA can usefully be divided into several types. These are collector's categories rather than official Swarovski model generations. Type I – Early GA, before 1984 The earliest 8×30 GA binoculars belong to the period before Swarovski substantially redesigned the Habicht body in 1984. They retain the older construction and lack the conspicuous sealing-valve screws found on the front bridge arms of later binoculars. They are associated with the traditional Swarovski crystal emblem, older markings and the early numerical serial-number system. Their rubber armour is normally the characteristic dark Swarovski green. Type II – Sealed GA, 1984–1990 In 1984 Swarovski introduced an important redesign of the Habicht body. The binocular became fully sealed and nitrogen purged. One of the easiest external means of recognising this generation is the presence of valve-cap screws on the front arms of the central bridge. The green rubber armour and traditional crystal logo remained, so an early and a post-1984 GA may initially appear very similar. The bridge construction is therefore an important dating feature. Consequently, the 1984 change provides an unusually useful dividing line for collectors: no valve-cap screws = early construction; valve-cap screws = sealed 1984 or later construction. Type III – New Branding and Serial Numbers, 1990–1994 Around 1990, Swarovski discontinued the traditional crystal logo that had characterised the binoculars for decades. It was replaced by the more modern SWAROVSKI OPTIK lettering. A second major change followed in 1991, when Swarovski standardised alphanumeric serial numbering throughout its product lines. Central-focus Habichts received an A prefix, while the much rarer individual-focus Habichts used a B prefix. These alphanumeric numbers are much easier to date. In the system used at the time, the first two numerical digits following the prefix indicate the production year when 1930 is added to them, while the following pair identifies the production week. Type IV – Late 8×30 W M GA The final regular production form of the centre-focus green 8×30 is generally designated Habicht 8×30 W M GA, with M referring to the central focusing mechanism. These later binoculars retain the classic Porro layout and green rubber armour but incorporate progressively improved optical coatings and the modern Swarovski markings. By this period the external appearance had changed surprisingly little considering how much time had passed since the earliest GA versions. Regular production of the centre-focus 8×30 W GA appears to have ended around 2001–2003. Attached is the link to the interesting article by Arkadiusz Olech on the history of Habicht 8x30 binoculars: https://www.allbinos.com/197.1-articl...