Looking to buy or trade: large or rare nixie tubes

[alex nolan]

After seeing another very rare and large tube get listed on eBay, I figured I would make a post asking if anyone has any large or rare tubes that they have around collecting dust they might want to swap or sell.

Some of the more interesting tubes of my own that I would be willing to part with: B7971 (various conditions), LC-631 (both long and short versions), NL934 (NL7037 with a decimal point, unlabeled), Z5680M, Z568M, more Z566M and ZM1040/1042 than I know what to do with, GR10J/F, and a recently acquired CD42 (0-5 number version of CD27). I think I've traded with someone here before, but it was quite a while ago. And full disclosure: I've been corresponding with one member of neonixie about the CD42, so they may have first rights to trade for that tube if they still want to.

And since posts like these are a bit dry, I've included some pictures of the CD42:

[Richard Scales]

PM Sent.

- Richard

[John Snow]

Any idea what the special purpose of the tube is?

[tntmod54321]

My uneducated guess as to the purpose would be similar to the cd47 in that its for loading stations

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[gregebert]

Having your hand in the picture really helps to show how big that tube is. No wonder the brand name is Rodan, reminiscent of the Japanese sci-fi movie monsters.

[Bogdan Paduraru]

looks like these tube were made to be used in clocks together with the CD27
just found some nice information from 1964 that shows the CD42 that display 0-5 along with CD41 with the same size displaying 1 and 2 numbers 
same applies to CD11 accompanied by CD37 (1,2) and CD38 (0-5)
and to CD12 accompanied by CD39 (1,2) and CD40 (0-5)

[Tom Katt]

I remember back in the late 80's surplus shops (ala BGmicro, Alltronics, Electronics Goldmine) were selling the really big tubes from large displays like what would be used at a Stock Exchange or similar wall mounted display for just a few dollars each...  I distinctly recall they were available in bulk (maybe 10 or more?) for further discounts.  Sadly, while I loved the look even then I was just in high school and had no idea how to use them.  

[gregebert]

..and Poly Paks. They were famous for their bargain barrels. Probably my first stop when I get my time machine working.

[Bogdan Paduraru]

I always look on this chat to search for information about specific tubes , and I kind of doubt that any of those shopes mentioned above would have sold any of these strange Japan nixies 
You have any information about this ?

Please find attached the mentioned page 

[Mac Doktor]

On Nov 11, 2025, at 11:17 AM, Tom Katt <tomk...@gmail.com> wrote:

I remember back in the late 80's surplus shops (ala BGmicro, Alltronics, Electronics Goldmine)

Marlin P Jones. And that place in Linwood...was it Massachusetts?

I distinctly recall they were available in bulk (maybe 10 or more?) for further discounts. 

PolyPaks had drum memory units for $15, way too much money. I would love to have one to go with my core memory board but the last time I looked they were hard to find and expensive.

Sadly, while I loved the look even then I was just in high school and had no idea how to use them.  

Yeah, that's why I never bought the Nixie at Radio Shack. Where was I going to pick up a power supply? Then what? I knew enough to put together a counter and demultiplexer but how was I supposed to drive the cathodes? Utterly clueless.

Terry Bowman, KA4HJH
"The Mac Doctor"

https://www.astarcloseup.com

"I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams glitter in the dark near Tannhäuser Gate. 

"All those moments will be lost in time like tears in the rain."— Roy Batty, Blade Runner