I can remember seeing a while back on one of these forums some reference to a black wartime Speed Graphic with all the metal parts finished in black crinkle paint and not the usual smooth matt black.

After searching a few times I can't find it now.

Anyway, I just took delivery of a military PH-47E (#326424) and it has the black crinkle finish on the bed, front standard and FP shutter covers.

Les, was it you who posted the original reference? Anyone else know anything about this???

Cheers,
Bruce

Probably. Mine is serial No 303348. Dated October 1941, ie before Pearl Harbor.
In July of '42 there was an article in Trade Notes stating that "after a year of testing Graflex is going all black for the duration"

considering there's some stenciled numbers under the wrinkle paint, the professional paint job, and the cast aluminum tubular viewfinder (!) I suspect this camera was a standard production camera that was pulled to test certain paint schemes and ideas for the upcoming war.

Yes, that was the post! Thanks Les.

I'll take some photos after work so you can have a look and see if it's remotely similar. Otherwise someone has simply sprayed mine at some stage...

Regards,
Bruce

Les, here are a few photos showing the black wrinkle finish on the bed, front standard, lens board sliders and FP shutter covers. It must have been applied a while back as it is quite worn around most hardware that moves and shows brass underneath. The shutter speed plate is also bizarre!

The last pic shows the serial number which is stamped in a slightly larger size than my other Anny Speeds. Weird.







Just interested to hear your thoughts.

Cheers,
Bruce