I am starting this thread to encourage some discussion about the use of acronyms in our hobby. Here are a few examples of what I have encountered over the years, to get things started.
Please...understand that these abbreviations may not be accurate, and I do not intend and cannot guarantee their representations or assure anyone of their intended usage. I'm just relating to you what I've encountered and have been told they "might" mean.
While looking at Marklin models I came across this description of an engine:
"OVP TOP Vitrinenmodell" translated to: "OVP TOP Showcase model."
"Top showcase or top cabinet " describing a piece of high quality that you would keep on the top shelf".
Further investigation revealed OVP in German "Originalverpackung" translates in English as "original packaging"
OVP: "Original verschlossene/versiegelte Packung." Or OVP meaning 'Original Verpackt', so.... it comes with the original box, but it does not mean that it is new and unused.
Supposedly If you want to be 100 % sure that you are buying something new and sealed it should read:
'MISB' "mint in sealed box"
Or:
"BNIB "brand new in box"
Maybe:
"NRFB "never removed from box."
Heres some others I've encountered:
HTF " hard to find"
LN "like new"
NIW " new in the wrapper" (paper goods)
MINT OR MNT " mint condition ( subjective..usually open to sellers interpretation) but commonly accepted by many as "new and unused".
NOS "new old stock " chronologically old, but sitting in storage and was never sold at retail before.. probably no longer manufactured new.
(Old stock of an item still in production. The new production considered of inferior composition or quality as compared to the NOS item. So NOS more desirable.)
As an example: brass track produced 30yrs ago in Western Germany as compared to modern day examples of cost effective composition, produced in another country. Some might argue the NOS is of better quality
SAIS "sold as is"
VR " very rare"
SNR "Sorry no returns"
Anyone have others, or different interpretations?
I am also curious if there are any other foriegn acronyms like the "OVP" example from Germany.
