Philips Rappaport-Sprague Stethoscope

Hi, question, whats the difference between The Original Philips Rapp-Sprague (model 280-a02) and the same model by HP ? and Is there any price difference ? Wanted to buy the one by philips, but couldnt find how expensive might it be, since its not manufactured anymore.

Thank you for your answers

PS : Just in case, I can be contacted via PM

Quite simply, none.

The 'original' (in this case genuine, rather than a cheap imitation) Rappaport-Sprague was manufactured by Sanborn who were taken over by HP. HP then sold that part of their business in the late 1990s and Philips took it over until they too ceased production.

I recall that the HP Sprague-Rappaport stethoscopes are much more expensive than the generic S-R's that you can buy easily on eBay. And the HP ones are much sought after by collectors, possibly because of their rarity or quality of manufacture.

I'm surprised Littmann or Welch-Allyn has not bought the patent and manufactured their own version. It would definitely sell if it was priced reasonably.

I'm not sure a Littmann or Welch-Allyn Sprague-Rappaport would sell that well. It would be competing with all the cheap S-R's and I guess Littmann or Welch-Allyn would need some way to distinguish their version from the others, apart from their reputation.

Thank you guys very much for answering.

@tjc yea, ty, I partly heard the story of Philips and HP, didnt know all the details though. The problem is that HP´s are enormously expensive (on ebay, etc..), so thought Philips might be nicer to my wallet, but Google couldnt find any mentions of that stethoscope 😢 do you think I should keep seeking or it´ll be same expensive as hell? thanks

PS : My email if needed supplied on request or refer to my profile

As if to illustrate the point about HP Sprague's being sought after - yesterday there was a HP Sprague listed on eBay for $5. Today it's at $75. Perhaps it's the mahogany case it comes in.

That HP Sprague Rappaport eventually sold for US$870 attracting 47 bids. A staggering price for any acoustic stethoscope, especially one only 20 years old.

Good grief!

Perhaps this demonstrates the market is still there for them. It would be interesting to compare the Japanese clone of it (note: clone, not poor quality copy) because there could be some sales in it for the manufacturer...

I agree that Welch-Allyn or Littmann wouldn't be likely to reproduce the H-P Sprague since it was a competitor with their cardiology scopes. Last time I looked the Asian clone of the H-P wasn't sold here-you had to order it there and pay huge shipping costs.

Yes, that was what put me off getting one. A pity because I think they'd probably do well selling in the EU and US.

Anyone tried the Prestige Medical Clinical Sprague 120? the site claims it replies the HP one and it's not that expensive.

I have a prestige but it's not a Sprague. It's ok, definitely not Littman quality.

I just ordered an MDF Sprague-Rappaport tonight. Granted I have no experience with the Philips or HP models, but we'll see what it's like. I had a knockoff that I sacrificed to make a stethmic, but it didn't turn out too well. Was time for a replacement.

That steth came in today. It's pretty much your typical sprague-rappaport, but it's built a little better than the knockoffs. The earpieces are nicer too.