Graflex.org

bruiser

Hi all,

A little while someone mentioned on a forum here (maybe it was a little off topic as I have searched and can't find it) that the serial number of their Press Graflex was hiding somewhere. I have the same problem, having virtually disassembled the camera trying to find it. Can't see it behind the hood, on the hood frame, inside the back or inside the front.

If anyone has another 'secret spot' or if the original poster found his serial number somewhere can you please let me know!

Cheers,
Bruce

bbjorkum · Joined: 14 Aug 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Norway

I don't think there is one.
_________________
Too old to die young

45PSS · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 3:56 am Post subject:

Every Graflex/Graphic camera has a serial number on it somewhere, but where is the mystery.

Bruiser, I assume you have seen this post:
http://graflex.org/helpboard/viewtopic.php?t=5522&highlight=press+graflex

You may need to remove the view hood and ground glass and check the lip of the opening or inside the box. A recent post on Photo.net had a mid 1920's RB Auto's serial number on the bed. It may be on the inside of the front standard behind the lens board. It will be embossed into the wood or ink stamped.
_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

bruiser · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 5:22 am Post subject:

Thanks 45PSS, that's the one I was searching for but couldn't find. Silly me, I was searching in Reflex Help, where I thought it would be!

Guess I'll have to pull the old thing apart even more as the serial number sure is NOT in an accessible place. I've even had an LED light and dental mirror probing it's nether regions but no luck yet.

So I'll try again tonight.

Cheers for the reply,
Bruce

bbjorkum · Joined: 14 Aug 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Norway

Well, I did find a number on the inside top of the lid. Reads 173593 in large friendly numbers.
_________________
Too old to die young

45PSS · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 7:55 pm Post subject:

bbjorkum · Joined: 14 Aug 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Norway

Now, what's the code? It was indeed a series d.

_________________
Too old to die young

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

There's no code. There is, however, an unofficial Graflex serial number book. According to it the block of serial numbers 173570- 173819, for 250 4x5 RB Ser. Ds, was assigned June 17, 1930. The next block of 4x5 RB Ser. D serial numbers was assigned Feb 16, 1931.

There's no guarantee that all of the numbers in a block were used, but in this case odds are the camera was made between the two dates above.

Until the very late 1940s, it seems that Graflex and predecessors assigned serial numbers sequentially, in blocks. A pre-1950 or so s/n carries no information about which model it was assigned to.

Cheers,

Dan