Does anybody know of a listing of Speed Graphic serial numbers? I'd like to find out when both of mine were manufactured.

there is no posted serial number list, but if you list your camera's numbers, Gandolf will tell you.

OK, Gandolf... I've always relied on the kindness of strangers...
I have a military Speed Graphic 4x5, olive drab, etc, serial #1480 on the Signal Corps name plate. My other Speed Graphic 4x5 is, I'm sure, post-war. The serial number is 869804.
Thanks.

Is that Signal Corp camera a C-3?


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Les on 2002-12-01 11:56 ]</font>

The post war was made in '51. The other should have a real serial number inside the body on the underside of the top of the body----to the right of the latch.

To Les -- I don't know. How do I tell a C-3 from any other?

To Gandolf -- I looked where you indicated and it appears there was a rectangular plate there, but it is gone. Cut off, perhaps, by the unscrupulous dealer who sold me the camera? Is there any other way to ID it's age?

My guess is you looked at the top of the body. Lots of military speeds had a depth of field plate nailed to the top. now look on the under side of the same board--effectively above the bellows inside the body, not inside the bellows, inside the body



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Gandolf on 2002-12-01 17:52 ]</font>

Gandolf, you're way to fast for me. I did look there and that's where the little white space is from what looks like a missing plate. However, on the drop door, between the tracks, there is another plate with serial number 892350. any help?

Sorry I thought this camera was WWII vintage and was basically a military Anniversary.

After rereading your description I realized it is a pacemaker version.

this dates from 1954. somewhere on the camera it might say KE-12. and it probably doesn't have a chrome slide button on the lower right ( called a body shutter release)

I'm not at all an expert on military graphic cameras but have discovered the earliest were designated C-3, (it'll have a military tag on the outside of the bed) there is also a PH-47J and I think at least one other PH-47, but with a different suffix. lately I saw a C-6 camera on ebay. I wish I could find someone who's researched military cameras.

Gandolf & Les,

Many thanks for your help. I now know it's a Korean and not a WWII. I'm mildly disappointed, but I'll get over it. It takes great pictures.

Well remember that the Pacemaker line of cameras came out in '47, so a WWII vintage will have to be an Anniversary. Anything with a metal lensboard will be post WWII