Graflex.org

78ltd · Joined: 04 Sep 2005 Posts: 62 Location: Texas

When did Graflex stop manufacturing RH series backs? I ask because I have a RH10 that has a September 73 date code. I figured that had to be pretty close to the last ones. And another obscure question, I have a Singer back with a August 71 date code that still has a metal release lever with a notation panel on the wind lever. My RH12 with a August 73 date code no longer has a notation panel and has a plastic release lever. When did they eliminate the notation panel and switch to a cheaper release lever? How 'bout everybody checking their date codes and lets see what changes took place when. Such as when the Singer name was put on. I have a RH10 with a May 69 date code that is still color coded and has the General Precision label. I thought Singer bought them in 68? Just something I've always been interested in. And finally, did Toyo continue to manufacture the RH backs after they bought Graflex?

1banjo · Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Posts: 492 Location: kansas

I have General Precision [G.P] & Singer [S]
mwl [metal wind lever] pwl plastic wind lever
RH12 B0E G.P pwl

RH8 R9E G.P pwl

RH10 D6C G.P pwl
A9E G.P pwl
F7A S mwl
F7A S mwl
M7C S pwl
D1A S mwl

RH20 F1A S mwl
M2A S mwl
A5A S mwl

banjo

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

How are you calculating the decade?
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1banjo · Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Posts: 492 Location: kansas

I would like to know when the MANUFACTURING CODES started as it look like it most
have started before 1960!?!? as I too have some that has a General Precision label
A9E & B9E and that looks like it could be 1969's but Singer was 1968-1973 so are they 1959's or what?!? AND I have a Singer that's an A5A that makes it a 1975 ?!?!
banjo

"PS" 78ltd
the first Mamiya RB67 that I ever saw had Singer RH10 on it!!
as Mamiya is part of Toyo Co. !!

78ltd · Joined: 04 Sep 2005 Posts: 62 Location: Texas

The date codes started in 1960. The lever wind roll holders didn't start until 1965 when the XL's came out. So yes, a A5 with a Singer name would be 1975. So they were still using General Precision nomenclature in '70? Be sure to check the carriage and holder date codes to make sure they match (at least within a month or so). And all the wind levers are plastic, I was refering to the release catch you have to pop before you can wind on to the other frame.

1banjo · Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Posts: 492 Location: kansas

well I have 6 or 8 with metal wind lever & release catch on all of mine are metal
& yes the patent was filed [#3,322,367] in 1965 and was Patented may 30 1967
banjo

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2144 Location: New Jersey

When Graflex went out of business the tooling for the Super Graphic was bought by Toyo, who made and sold Toyo Super Graphics for a while and the roll holder tooling was bought by a company called SubSea.

I have a SubSea RH-8. Short answer, it was put together by drunks when they were off shift. The gearing was for 6x7 and there were other bad problems too.

Henry · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 12:10 pm Post subject:

Not only that, Dan, they must have been underwater as well: "sub-sea."

1banjo · Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Posts: 492 Location: kansas

you know maybe SubSea just got the leftover parts & put them to use

banjo

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2144 Location: New Jersey

Well, the back is badged Graflex/SubSea and the shell is covered with green so at the least they made their own labels and refinished the shells.

78ltd · Joined: 04 Sep 2005 Posts: 62 Location: Texas

Well, Banjo is showing a F7 with the Singer name on it, so I assume maybe Singer built backs for a while, as they stayed in the AV buissness a little while after Graflex ceased operations. Never seen a Sub-Sea back.
Sorry to hear it was piss-poor. Oh yeah, Banjo, which backs have the notation panel and which ones don't. I have a G2 RH12 Singer carriage that has the silver wind lever with the notation panel, while my two 73 backs do not. So I'm assuming 73 was the change. Or at least late 72. We need everyone here to post their date codes. Someone has got to have some from, say, December 72?

1banjo · Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Posts: 492 Location: kansas

HEY 78ltd

if your taking about the little white panel
thing its only on General Precision !! not on
any of my Singer or my old Graflex and only on
lever wind not on any of my nob wind

banjo

78ltd · Joined: 04 Sep 2005 Posts: 62 Location: Texas

I have a 71 and 72 Singer that have the notation panel on the wind lever. The 73 does not. That's one of the things I am trying to determine is when the change took place. I am now assuming not until at least Jan. 73. That's why I want more date codes shown from everybody. My gap is from June 72 until August 73. I want more date codes from that time period.

45PSS · Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 12:29 am Post subject:

The problem with trying to date a production change is that Graflex would announce the change, produce a few units with the change, then use up all the remaining old stock before routinely making the new version. Wind levers would certainly fall into the category of production changes.
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1banjo · Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Posts: 492 Location: kansas

hey 78ltd
are you saying that the notation panel is on the wind lever?!?
my General Precision its on the carriage !
my Singer don't have a notation panel at all!!
banjo