I was wondering if "Gandolf" would be so kind, as he has in the past, to put a date to my recently acquired 4 X 5 Speed Graphic, SN: 879913, and many thanks for your superb efforts in this forum.

"graflite"

1953

While we're on the subject, how about a date on a 4x5 Anny Speed Graphic #269081?
Thanks
Top

late '40 early '41.

I suspect the rear peep sight is mounted to the body and flips up rather than the later mounted to the back and swings up from the side.

Thanks, oh White Wizard!
You would be correct if this camara hadn't picked uo a graflock back, with the back mounted sight, sometime in the past 60-odd years. The top of the body is drilled for the flip-up sight; I'd like to find one.
Given the camera is fitted with a German-made lens in a dial set Compur I figured it was pre-war, but the confirmation is most welcome.
Thanks again.
Top

While we're on the subject, I'm interested in finding a date of manufacture for my Anniversary Speed Graphic #248869.

Inside the Kalart model F range finder case is a pencil mark 42940, which I suspect is the assembly or calibration date (4/29/40) for the rangefinder. It also has the fold forward to the top eyepiece for the sports finder (but I have mine).

I suspect the same general vintage as the one above. Am I correct?

Early 1940

Many thanks, Gandalf.

Since the Anniversary Speed Graphic was introduced in 1940, mine must have been one of the first ones off the production line. I've owned it since 1955, and, after many repairs, it is still in reasonble shape. The focal plane shutter still works and seems reasonably accurate.

Were there any records kept as to who was the original owner? That would be a really intesting item.

You don't start building cameras on the day you introduce them, so "early', yes, but not one of the first.

Graflex sold cameras to stores, not people so personal sales records were at the photo store.

Thanks again. I guess it's not quite the rare collector's item that I hoped it was.