Genuine Early Graflex Inc? Or Was I Duped?

[Mad Yank]

Hello everyone on the RPF,

Sorry to burst onto the scene with questions, however I need some advice.

Just before Christmas (too much brandy in the Xmas pud') I bought an early (round pin) Graflex Inc 3-Cell from the US (reassuringly expensive, and with all the additional fees to import it) to use with a Romans replica bottom, and I have been scratching my head over it ever since I took delivery. I have owned a Folmer Graflex in the past - sore subject - and am currently selling a later 2-Cell that I have had for a while. I have held several of these in my grubby hands in the past and spent far too many hours researching these things as I became obsessed after parting with my Folmer 6 years ago. I thought I would know what to look for. I am trying to confirm that the 3-Cell I have just bought is legit. Everything measures up - down to the last detail. But it is too clean. I could NEVER have gotten this lucky. Or could I?

I have some photo's, one of the bottom, a couple others of the clamp (and lettering) from varios angles a look at the underside of the levers, and the button, bunny ears.
There is a Romans TFA replica along with my 2 cell (with replica red button). Any thoughts about the 3 cells legitimacy? (It's the one on the left in the ANH configuration.) Sorry for the poor quality photos. These were taken quickly on a half decade old phone.

Many thanks in advance. Your expert advice would be greatly appreciated. sorry - left hand photo ending 900 is the pommel end, 633 and 609 are the clamp for the 3 cell, photo ending 309 shows the 3 clamps lever underside (left to right) 3-cell, 2-cell, Romans, the next photo (ending 719) shows the red buttons (romans replica red button bottom on my 2-cell, with 3-cell top) photo 152 the 2 and 3 cell clamps adjacent to each other for comparison.

 

[Captain Dunsel]

It’s difficulty for me to tell, from the comparative photos supplied. Can you add text to the photos to confirm what is being compared to what?

One thing that always passes the test, for me, is the unmistakable “Old Bakelite Plastic Smell” that comes from the inside of a true vintage GRAFLEX top. It’s strange but true. You will know it when you smell it and it really can’t be faked.

Otherwise, the clamp does looks very much like a replica but, again, it’s very difficult to tell in the photos.

 

[Mad Yank]

Additional (poor) photos. Photo 642-red button. 622-emitter end. Photo 521- 2-cell vs 3-cell clamp lever. 424 clamp levers again. Photo 957- 3 and 2 cell clamps. 102-closeup of 3-cell.

In all comparison photos, the 3 cell is the Graflex equipped with the ANH bottom end from Roman Props.

Thank you one and all.

 

[AnubisGuard]

The aging on the contacts and the scrape in the plating under the slide switch suggest it's real.

 

[Mad Yank]

The aging on the contacts and the scrape in the plating under the slide switch suggest it's real.

Thanks for the input. I was looking at little tells like that, there is genuine wear - but not alot. I have seen a few of these in the "flesh" as it were, but NONE had been in anywhere near this good a condition so I can't help having doubts. The chap I bought it from is a part time photographer and also runs a vintage shop - I checked up on him - so I think at least he is genuine. I should just go with it. It feels genuine and I've had copies and the real McCoy so... The biggest problem I am having is there were so many tiny incremental changes. Even inconsistencies in production - things as random as the underside of the clamp lever. My Folmer looks different than the later 2-Cell that I own. Which looks slightly different than this one. So much to learn...

I will check this thread regularly as I know some of you have owned countless Graflex and can site every variation of every version made so can educate me. Thank you all again for tolerating my questions.

 

[v312]

Looks real to me. Hard to tell all the details from the pictures, but bunny ears rivet that holds them to the top looks real , the button as well. Other details that I could catch don't look off either. Maybe post some picture of the beertab rivet and how the bunny ears pieces are attached together

 

[Mad Yank]

The aging on the contacts and the scrape in the plating under the slide switch suggest it's real.

Thanks everyone who responded to my question. The more I examine it, and compare it to other iterations of these flashes, whether genuine or repro, the more I am convinced of it's authenticity. I just have to accept I got REALLY lucky on ebay for a change. Cheers all.

Now that I have finally pieced together the Graflex trio (TFA Romans repro, ESB Force FX, and the ANH replica this Graflex is the basis for) I will be back with some inane questions on an Enfield Jawa ion blaster I am in the middle of sourcing parts for.

You have been warned

Thanks again...