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moristano · Joined: 22 Nov 2002 Posts: 17 Location: DALLAS

Does anybody know of a listing of Speed Graphic serial numbers? I'd like to find out when both of mine were manufactured.

Les · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 2682 Location: Detroit, MI

there is no posted serial number list, but if you list your camera's numbers, Gandolf will tell you.

moristano · Joined: 22 Nov 2002 Posts: 17 Location: DALLAS

OK, Gandolf... I've always relied on the kindness of strangers...
I have a military Speed Graphic 4x5, olive drab, etc, serial #1480 on the Signal Corps name plate. My other Speed Graphic 4x5 is, I'm sure, post-war. The serial number is 869804.
Thanks.

Les · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 2682 Location: Detroit, MI

Is that Signal Corp camera a C-3?

[ This Message was edited by: Les on 2002-12-01 11:56 ]

Gandolf · Joined: 26 Dec 2001 Posts: 328 Location: middle earth

The post war was made in '51. The other should have a real serial number inside the body on the underside of the top of the body----to the right of the latch.

moristano · Joined: 22 Nov 2002 Posts: 17 Location: DALLAS

To Les -- I don't know. How do I tell a C-3 from any other?

To Gandolf -- I looked where you indicated and it appears there was a rectangular plate there, but it is gone. Cut off, perhaps, by the unscrupulous dealer who sold me the camera? Is there any other way to ID it's age?

Gandolf · Joined: 26 Dec 2001 Posts: 328 Location: middle earth

My guess is you looked at the top of the body. Lots of military speeds had a depth of field plate nailed to the top. now look on the under side of the same board--effectively above the bellows inside the body, not inside the bellows, inside the body

[ This Message was edited by: Gandolf on 2002-12-01 17:52 ]

moristano · Joined: 22 Nov 2002 Posts: 17 Location: DALLAS

Gandolf, you're way to fast for me. I did look there and that's where the little white space is from what looks like a missing plate. However, on the drop door, between the tracks, there is another plate with serial number 892350. any help?

Gandolf · Joined: 26 Dec 2001 Posts: 328 Location: middle earth

Sorry I thought this camera was WWII vintage and was basically a military Anniversary.

After rereading your description I realized it is a pacemaker version.

this dates from 1954. somewhere on the camera it might say KE-12. and it probably doesn't have a chrome slide button on the lower right ( called a body shutter release)

I'm not at all an expert on military graphic cameras but have discovered the earliest were designated C-3, (it'll have a military tag on the outside of the bed) there is also a PH-47J and I think at least one other PH-47, but with a different suffix. lately I saw a C-6 camera on ebay. I wish I could find someone who's researched military cameras.

moristano · Joined: 22 Nov 2002 Posts: 17 Location: DALLAS

Gandolf & Les,

Many thanks for your help. I now know it's a Korean and not a WWII. I'm mildly disappointed, but I'll get over it. It takes great pictures.

Les · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 2682 Location: Detroit, MI

Well remember that the Pacemaker line of cameras came out in '47, so a WWII vintage will have to be an Anniversary. Anything with a metal lensboard will be post WWII

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