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Date of manufacture
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AuthorMessage
Hummy585
Joined: 04 Sep 2014
Posts: 2
PostPosted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 12:02 pm   Post subject: Date of manufacture

Sorry all, but I'm not able to get a firm feel on my new Speed Graphic's age.
On the back of the Ecktar 127 f/4.7
I have "D30814" and "P14"
The serial number plate shows "919071"
I don't see any other numbers.
This one has the top mounted range finder which I believe came after 1955?
Thanx!
Dan Fromm
Joined: 14 May 2001
Posts: 2165
PostPosted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 12:10 pm

919071 is in a batch of serial numbers assigned 6/4/56. The next batch was assigned 8/24/56.
45PSS
Joined: 28 Sep 2001
Posts: 4081
PostPosted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 6:18 pm

On the FRONT rim of the lens there should be a two letters and some numbers together, this is the lens serial number.
http://graflex.org/speed-graphic/lenses.html#EktarLenses will give you the date.
Hummy585
Joined: 04 Sep 2014
Posts: 2
PostPosted: Tue Sep 30, 2014 9:10 pm

The only serial type info I see on the edge of the lens is "A533431".
45PSS
Joined: 28 Sep 2001
Posts: 4081
PostPosted: Wed Oct 01, 2014 1:27 am

Quote:
The only serial type info I see on the edge of the lens is "A533431".
Kodak started making its own lens sometime in the 1930's. The first lens were called Anastigmat. In the later 1930's the Ektar line was introduced. Some of the Anastigmat lens were renamed Ektar.
Your lens is possibly from 1930 to 1940 before the Camerosity coding went into effect.
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