This may be a rhetorical question, but can new/nos tube looks used? I should think not -

Situation: recently received some minature 7-pin 6CY5 tubes that were claimed to be new. Each were in matching boxes (GE) that had signs of being opened (precumably to be tested). Each one had obvious darkening at the top nipple where the getter is. Tested on my calibrated Hickok, they all well exceeded the stated rating by 10-15% or so. They work in the circuit too.

For new tubes my expectation has been to expect super-shiny getters. While I'm not unhappy w/these; is it plausible these could be new given the discoloration in the getter?

I see this in nearly every new 7 and 9 pin miniature I encounter.

I think the dark spot is left over from the exhaust tip sealing process and has nothing to do with the getter.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Larry

I wouldn't paint devils on the wall. Chances are that these low level tubes will outlast us.

Not all getters are silver... many later ones were darker in color...

You cannot usually determine whether a tube is new or used by the appearance of the getter alone, except when it turns brown from excessive heat. The manufacturing process varies and you will find differences from one brand to another or from one tube type to another. It's not the least bit unusual to find brand new tubes with very dark getters.

Thanks for the replies - learned something today!

Ive also seen many new tubes with multi color getters as you would expect from well used. This was especially noticable on the later TV sweep and other larger tubes. Yet all test and work as new.

Carl

I mis-spent a weekend decades ago as a teenager separating so called duds and preparing a manifest of returns to a major manufacturer at the time. Anything that went into the trash was added to the box. I had a better tester in my dungeon of workplace, and most of them were still good. Got a credit worth more than what I made in a year and was a made man of the trade.

If I stayed in the business I would have been Crazy Eddy or Son of Sam. Nice hobby though.