[LargeFormat] Auto Graflex RB Model Identification

[Clive Warren]

At 02:45 13/09/2003 -0700, Richard Knoppow wrote:

>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Clive Warren" <Clive.Warren@megacycle.co.uk>
huge snip

> > The serial number is on the underside of the flip up
>section that holds the
> > lens cover and is 43705. There is a plate on the bottom of
>the camera that
> > extends across its width. It has the patent information
>and is marked at
> > the top, R.B. GRAFLEX. It was nickel plated but a lot of
>that has worn off
> > to show the brass underneath. There is a plate on the side
>of the camera
> > marked Auto Graflex with shutter speeds, but it may have
>been relocated
> > there from the viewing chimney as there are four small
>holes and a mark
> > that is the same size as the plate. I guess that a
>previous owner became
> > irritated with having to look away from the controls to
>set shutter speeds.
snip

> > As for the rotating back, the pin spring seems fine so it
>must be a worn
> > pin. Is the pin supposed to hold the back in position
>until you release it?
> > That would make more sense to me.....
snip

>   This sounds like an early model Auto Graflex.  The later
>version called the R.B. Auto Graflex has a folding bed with
>double focusing tracks. The bed is the front door of the
>camera.
>   The older Auto Graflex has a front similar to the later
>Series D. front is a shallow box with a flap door on the
>front. There are no wings on it as there are on the Series
>D. These cameras have a fixed back, i.e. it does not rotate.
>The speed chart is on the front of the focusing hood.
>   This sounds like an old type Auto Graflex modified with
>the revolving back of an R.B. Graflex and a Graflok back.
>The Graflok back will fit several of the 4x5 Graflex
>cameras. I have one on my Super-D.
>    I was hoping to find some illustrations on the Graflex
>site but it doesn't seem to be working now. Its worth a try
>later. It may help identify what you have.
>http://www.graflex.org
>   I had a partial list of Graflex serial numbers from Roger
>Adams but can't find them now.
>---
>Richard Knoppow
>Los Angeles, CA, USA
>dickburk@ix.netcom.com

Hello Richard,

Thanks for the further info. The camera may be a transition model as it is 
marked RB GRAFLEX on the bottom plate that definitely appears to original, 
but the shutter speed plate simply says Auto Graflex. The rotating back 
mechanism appears to be native to the camera rather than a grafted on 
addition from a later camera but I could be wrong! The Graflok back is of 
course from a later camera.

I did have a good look through the graflex site before posting here and 
couldn't find much of any relevance to these earlier cameras.

When you come across those serial numbers it would be interesting to try 
and date the camera and work out which model it really is..... It may well 
be a transition model or perhaps the first version of the RB Graflex. Would 
that make it a Model A?

Cheers,
          Clive