Hi there,

I hope you guys here can help...

A friend of mine recently purchased a batch of old cameras at an auction, one of which is a Graflex of some kind. I've been researching them online, trying to find out what they are, which ones still have film available, if any need valuations and insurance etc...

It appears to be in working order and, if so, would be a fantastic asset as she's involved in creating period clothing for film, TV, re-enactment, museums and so on.

Now, I've been to graflex.coffsbiz.com and I *believe* this is a Graflex Army C-3 Late Anniversary model, of some kind, but really I haven't a clue!!

These are the details I have found written on the camera itself

Made by Wollensak Rochester USA for the Folmer Graflex Group.
Lens: Graflex Optar 1/4.5 No. 299080 6 3/8" Focus.
Inside wooden casing - 318219

Bed plate reads:
"Property Air Force US Army
CAMERA, GROUND - TYPE C-3
Mfr's Assembly DWG No. 25055
Specification No. 75-70
Serial No. 43-31025
Order No. W-535-ac-32362
THE FOLMER GRAFLEX CORP.
Mfr's of Graflex and Speed Graphic cameras
Rochester, NY USA"

Right side fitted with a 'Kalart Synchronised Range-Finder'
E70872
Rail for fitting a Flash Handle

Flash handle badged as a 'King Sol'
Sockets L&R "Exti-nsion & Tripper", front has "Remot-".
Rear has Switch
Looks to accept 3 D-cell bateries.

Photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36903214@N04/


Is this something she should be getting insured?
I've seen similar models go for anything between $500 and $1400 on eBay!!

Many thanks for any info you can offer.

Paul.

It is, as the tag says, a Signal Corp C-3 camera. And it was made sometime in the '43-early '45 era. The flash, I suspect, it from the 1950s as it's a King Sol. Not much is known about King Sol other than it was made by the family now running Paramount Cords.

I think the $500-$1400 is on the crazy side. Most of the time these sell in the $200-$400 range.

All black Anniversary Speed Graphic made in early 1943, no way to know exact date.

Operating instructions:
http://www.southbristolviews.com/pics/Graphic/manual-pdf/Anniversary.pdf

Service manual:
http://www.southbristolviews.com/pics/Graphic/manual-pdf/AnniversaryService1.pdf

4x5 sheet film is readily available in color and B&W from major camera stores. The camera has a Graphic (spring) back that will accept standard 2 sided film holders or Grafmatic film holders. Wood Graphic film holders will be period specific.

That's some really helpful information there. Thank-you!!

Is there a chance of tracing it's history, perhaps where it was issued, by the serial number or were such records not kept during the war?

Records that detailed were not kept. Cameras entered the supply chain just like rifles and jeeps.

No telling where it served, at a stateside base or overseas.

Cheers,
Bruce
http://graflex.coffsbiz.com

Ah Bruce!!

So it was your website I was looking at - Very cool site, sir. Answered a lot of my initial questions and gave me much to go on before I found my way here to you!

I wonder if the serial number would have been noted on a QMS form of the person to whom it was assigned, then?
If so, I could probably track down which unit the guy was with and where he went during the war...

Thanks for the comments Terry!

I'm not sure anyone even looked at the serial numbers once the cameras left the factory because mostly the cameras were part of a cased 'camera set'.

Many of the leather cases (WWII) were numbered within army photographic units so Private Joe Blow might have been issued Camera Set 21 without actually knowing the camera serial number. A bit like the jeep driver being assigned vehicle #1753, I'm sure at the time he didn't note the engine number.

Somebody somewhere might have a record of camera deliveries by serial number but I've never found or heard of such records.

Happy hunting!
Bruce
http://graflex.coffsbiz.com

Terry?
Oh I see - No, that's just the chap who spoke the quotation in my signature

I'm Paul


Is there anywhere people would recommend that I can take the camera to get it serviced?

I thought it'd be nice to get it working and take some photos with proper film - I read through the service manual, but it all looks a bit fiddly and my hands no longer lend themselves well to fine motor skill tasks!


Thanks,
Paul.

OOPS...so sorry Paul!

Bert Saunders is a Graflex guru and has made many posts on this site. It maybe an idea to send him a PM or email and sort out what needs doing to your camera.

Cheers,
Bruce