Help a novice with purchase

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....appreciate this model isn’t collector worthy
No-one has said that. It is unusual and aesthetically very much of its period. Dan has merely said it's not a reference he likes - and many agree. Matt has just pointed out that your example has had its most distinctive feature (the case brushing) destroyed. So you should not get deterred if you like this style. A decent example won't be too difficult or too expensive to find: another good reason to pass on this particular one swiftly and without regret.