RayBan sunglasses originality

[Nacho-RT74]

I have being searching info about how to set differences between originals and copies. All I have found is how to find these differences on lenses made after 99 ( when Luxotica in Itally began to make them ), but I have not find how to find if they are originals before 99 ( made by B&L in USA )


I allways have wanted a Rayban's aviator series, but the small ones ( 3044 ). Found these locally in a "decent" price if they are really original. But if these are made after 99 definitelly they looks to be copies, where the brand and size must be stamped on inner section of center bridge, not on top like these, where by the way says Rayban USA and something else the bright "hides", not the size... maybe B&L ?

http://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ve/MLV-451407900-lentes-ray-bam-aviator-small-metal-modelo-rb-3044-_JM#questionText

Does somebody know ?

[HPP]

I inherited several pairs of Aviator and Pilots glasses when my Grandfather died. One was marked Ray Ban, one marked B&L, and the others were AO (American Optical). So there were multiple vendors and methods of marking the originals. These frames and lenses were all from the 1940-50s.

The difference between original B&L and licensed copies, I don't know how to differentiate. I honestly did not know they had licensed them out actually as the last Ray Bans I bought were around '95.

American Optical still  manufactures Pilots and Aviators in multiple frame colors, sizes, lenses, ear piece configurations, with or without sweat bands too. Website is here: http://aoeyewear.com/  This may be  an alternate route to the original military issue styles. AOs are a less expensive alternative and I'll admit they are a bit lighter in weight than my Ray Bans, which isn't necessarily a bad things when you have them on all day. However, they look the part, are from an OEM vendor, and don't cost a fortune so you can actually get multiple pairs and configurations for the same price as a single set of  Ray Bans.

[Nacho-RT74]

Sounds good, but the ones on the sale I posted are priced in "maybe" $50 if we rate it on Black market money exchange... and is local, no international shipping.

Ok, so you have pre 99 RayBans... how is the stamps on them ? that would be a help... maybe a pic?

Editing... just checked AO website... didn't like them... preffer Raybans Aviator shape

[HPP]

Looking over my newest set, they have Ray Ban  printed on the  right upper lens corner and  etched on the outside of each temple piece. There is a small BL watermark on both lens right next to where the temple attaches. There looks like there may have been a code of some sort on the left ear piece stamped into the plastic. It looks like it might have been numbers then a space and an alpha sequence. Mine is somewhat worn but looks like W1606 WNAS. Under the bridge piece is probably what you want to look for; mine say  B&L Ray Ban 581 114, but this number set may vary from model to model and year to year as another set I have say B&L Ray Ban 62-14. 

The  vintage sets are slightly different. One says Ray Ban on the top of the bridge bar, the other does not, but the one without  Ray Ban on top is a set of Pilots, not Aviators. Under the bridge bar on both  is B&L and then a sequence of numbers.  Both  have B&L molded on the inside of the nose pieces. The American Optical units I have are similar with either American Optical or AO and a number sequence stamped  on the bottom of the bridge piece.

[Nacho-RT74]

B&L Rayban 62-14 under the bridge is the lense size... they are the big ones

I'm asking to the seller for the numbers under the bridge and the lense watermark. It seems to be original. If they are really 3044 model ( small frame ) should say 52-14. On top of bridge already told me says B&L Ray Ban USA.

Your newest lenses seems to be also Bausch & Lomb ( USA manufacturer ). Is hard to find info and codes about these made in USA. The Italy ones are more clear on the info.

Whats the difference between Pilots and Aviators on Ray Ban ?  ear end shape ?

[HPP]

Sounds like you may have found an earlier set. 

The difference between the Pilots and Aviators are considerable. The Pilots are a smaller, squarish frame with bayonet temple pieces. Its my understanding Ray Ban stopped making the Pilots back in the 1950s.

AO still offers Pilot frames and I picked up a new set a few years back with polarized lenses and wrap around ear pieces. They are great when I'm out on my boat because the wrap around temples keep them from coming off your head until you take them off and the polarized lenses really cut glare off the water.

[Nacho-RT74]

well, it seems there is a winner on the set being sold locally... per seller description it says BL on lenses and B&L Rayban 52-14 under the bridge. Also told me he can read BL down the nose rubber pads

The guy keeps tipping Raybam instead Rayban LOL, I think thats why they are still available... nobody finds them making a search

[HPP]

Snag em!

[Nacho-RT74]

Done.

Can you believe I'm paying allmost half of my average month earnings on this sunglasses ? yes, we are that bad in Venezuela!!!

I don't think my january earnings will cover this in fact!!!

[Mopar Nut]

Done.

Can you believe I'm paying allmost half of my average month earnings on this sunglasses ? yes, we are that bad in Venezuela!!!

I don't think my january earnings will cover this in fact!!!

What is the U.S. dollar worth?

[Nacho-RT74]

On black market money exchange ? paid around US$45-50 for this lenses

We have had 300 % inflation this year.

The black market money exchange ( so the "real one", the one you find on streets ) is jumping between 800 and 900 Bs ( bolivares, local currency ) x 1 US$

Oficially, we have 3 diff rates, and none of these is valid for regular ppl, except when travelling and using the Credit Card after being aprooved by the goverment, and using just around US$2000 per year

One rate is 6.3 ( just for food and medicine being imported )

Next rate is around 12 ( I think this is the one used for Credit Cards )

The other rate is around 190-200 ( for bussines and companies, and not everyone )

The country is bankruptcy