I brought this to a camera repair place and because it wasn't in McKeown's, he suggested it was knock off So I'm wondering what it is exactly.

It has a Folmer & Schwing div. Eastman Kodak Co. front plate but it doesn't say Speed Graphic anywhere on it... but it's definitely a press camera (or like one anyway). I've been using it since the end of March this year so I'd say it's in good working order except for the curtain shutter. The lens shutter works well and that's mostly what I've been using.

Its serial number (top inside of the box part, embossed into the wood, slightly towards the lefthand side) is 29304.

Pictures:





Lens says 4x5 Bausch & Lomb-Zeiss Tessar Series 1c. Pat. Feb 25, 1903... I'm reading it off the picture I took ages go so can't quite read the numbers on it (lens is in the camera repair shop having a clean). The shutter says ACME (hehe, roadrunner cartoons!) on the wheel.

I think that's all I can say about it. I bought it off of ebay so I don't have any information on its history.

So what is it? Just some random thing Folmer & Schwing made before Speed Graphics?

Regards,

Heather

Yes your camera is a Top Handle. this number (29304) is around 1912, in the first Top handle produced.

The B&L Tessar Ic was one lens poposed in the original configuration. but in Barrel (I have a Press 5x7 with the same configuration 5x8 lens + ACME)
Since the ACME adaptation come later

Folmer and Schwing Division Eastman Kodak Compagny (1905-1926)

Cheers

The four numbers closest to your camera's serial number on Shutterfinger's "Not the Serial Number Book List, But..." are:
"28207 - pre-introduction speed - 1911"
"28613 - 3x4 Auto - 1911-1912"
"3?173 - 2x3 Auto - 1912-1914"
"33214 - 3A Graflex - 1912-1914"
Hope that info is helpful!

C.Henry