Graflex.org

[JohnR]

Hello! New person here. I recently was given these 2 Speed Graphic 4x5 cameras from my wife's uncle.

As near as I can tell, one may be the 1st model and the other may be from 1940. Please help me find out for sure.

Also, what can I do to find out if they work properly? I found film on sale online but I'm not sure if the shutter works. Any way to find out before I buy some film and film holder? (it came with a Polaroid 500 film holder but have read not to use it)

Here are the pictures:
http://louisvilleky.smugmug.com/gallery/2307207/1

[Les]

The first model looks like Speed Graphic if owned by Dr. Frankenstein. Not really a Speed Graphic at all, but an amalgamation of a view camera and a front standard to a Speed.
The second is a Post War Anny, from '45 or '46. The front shutters are realively easy to use. With the word Graphic at 12 o'clock, the shutter cock lever is right above, move it to the left. The trip lever is at 11 o'clock. If you cock the shutter, then hold down the button at 2 o'clock and trip the shutter at the same time, the shutter will stay open to allow you to focus withthe ground glass. Set the shutter speed by rotating the dial.

[JohnR]

I found a serial # on the 2nd one:
393156

Thanks for the info! Now I just have to get a film holder and some film and try it out.