I just picked up a ca 1897-1898 (from camera and lens serial numbers) RB Cycle Graphic. The lens, in a B&L shutter, turned out, to my surprise, to be a Dagor. Did F&S commonly use Goerz lenses or was this a swap at some point (although serial numbers suggest camera and lens are contemporaries)?

Does anyone have a F&S catalog from this time period? The earliest I've been able to find is already from the Eastman years.

Thanks,
Dan

Dan, what is engraved on the lens? Serial number, designation, and so on.

If it is engraved "Dagor" it is, according to the VM, no earlier than 1900.

And, which B&L shutter is it in?

Dan,

It's the B&L Iris Diaphram Shutter. Lens is marked CP Goerz Berlin Doppel Anastigmat No 74437

Based on the list you posted on LFF (http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?41822-C-P-Goerz-Berlin-Serial-numbers-%28Dogmar%29) and the camera serial number in the 5500s, it would seem to be 1898-ish.

Dan

Well, then, the lens could well be original issue. International trade in photographic equipment began a few days before the Internet because generally accessible.