The Ninja - Star Wars Vintage Parts Hunting & Props - UPDATE - Hunting Box from the UK

So does this revelation put an end to the speculation that the ANH Graflex was a no patent Graflex? It looks like these kits came with a thin knurled button, old style eye, and based on Ian's new shiny pretty, are potentially all Folmer New York's...
 
So does this revelation put an end to the speculation that the ANH Graflex was a no patent Graflex? It looks like these kits came with a thin knurled button, old style eye, and based on Ian's new shiny pretty, are potentially all Folmer New York's...

I don't think it does. Ian says:

Royal Air Force (Great Britain) Type 1 Ground Camera

1942 - 194?
Which means flashes in other kits would be getting the 114A/63 stamping, and the end date is still a question. Based on the photos you and he have shown it looks like only the cameras got individual serial numbers beyond that inventory reference number.

Or have I missed something important?
 
I don't think it does. Ian says:


Which means flashes in other kits would be getting the 114A/63 stamping, and the end date is still a question. Based on the photos you and he have shown it looks like only the cameras got individual serial numbers beyond that inventory reference number.

Or have I missed something important?

I'm thinking that the apparent rarity of the kits/flashes makes it unlikely that there was a range of years for these field kits. Especially if you consider that this was New York based company and at some point the RAF either switched to or switched from the British based MPP S92 field kits....
 
I'm thinking that the apparent rarity of the kits/flashes makes it unlikely that there was a range of years for these field kits. Especially if you consider that this was New York based company and at some point the RAF either switched to or switched from the British based MPP S92 field kits....

Much as I want it to be a Folmer with patent, I think that's compelling. According to Photographic flashlight equipment - FOLMER GRAFLEX CORP the patent was filed 04/18/1941 and its publication date was 02/02/1943. So the patent number probably wasn't added until '43, after it's granted? Is that something we know? Anyway, that could certainly put the stamping change after the RAF kit.
 
So does this revelation put an end to the speculation that the ANH Graflex was a no patent Graflex? It looks like these kits came with a thin knurled button, old style eye, and based on Ian's new shiny pretty, are potentially all Folmer New York's...

I think it will only increase the debate once this information filters out, given there is still NO clear photo of the ANH On-Screen Flash stamping and now we know its more then likely the TOE PIC Flash was a Folmer Graflex New York 3-Cell Flash with Clamp R.A.F REF Number 114A/63.

R.A.F Type 1 Speed Graphic
This is the USA made British Royal Air Force version of the US AAF C-3 with Supermatic shutter, Ektar 127mm lens, later Graflex solenoid and the second model of the first type of Graflex flash. An Anniverary Speed Graphic from 1942.


We know the first model was the Folmer (Telegraph) & the second model was the Folmer Graflex New York 3-Cell Flash.
 
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Which means flashes in other kits would be getting the 114A/63 stamping, and the end date is still a question. Based on the photos you and he have shown it looks like only the cameras got individual serial numbers beyond that inventory reference number.

Or have I missed something important?

The R.A.F Type 1 Ground Camera Kit R.A.F REF Numbers would be the same R.A.F REF Number for the same item in each kit, as with the R.A.F. MPP Micro Technical S92 Ground Camera Kit, we have good information on the S92 Ground Camera Kit R.A.F REF Numbers.

4.jpg
 
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The R.A.F Type 1 Ground Camera Kit Serial Numbers would be the same Serial Number for the same item in each kit, as with the R.A.F. MPP Micro Technical S92 Ground Camera Kit, we have good information on the S92 Ground Camera Kit Serial Numbers.

Are you saying each camera was 114A/6, each 127mm lens was 114A/606, and each flash was 114A/63 -- and thus there are multiple flashes with that 114A/63 stamping? That's what I was gathering from comparing the recent photos from you, teecrooz and Edraven99 of these ground camera kits.
 
Are you saying each camera was 114A/6, each 127mm lens was 114A/606, and each flash was 114A/63 -- and thus there are multiple flashes with that 114A/63 stamping? That's what I was gathering from comparing the recent photos from you, teecrooz and Edraven99 of these ground camera kits.

Correct (y) (same items have same R.A.F REF numbers)

Chris teecrooz can you post a photo of your S92 R.A.F REF Number Sheet with mine, Drew you will see that the (same items have same R.A.F REF numbers)
 
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Correct (y) (same items have same serial numbers)
Okay, cool. That's what it looked like was going on to me. teecrooz posted an excerpt of it on another thread.

Though, as I was saying, your and Edraven99 's cameras both have individual serial numbers as well, 19 for his and 352 on yours. But we don't see that level of fidelity on the parts list, or any sign that every part in the kit got a unique serial number. Is that right?

(Edraven99's photo attached for easy reference.)

RAF Graflex 2.jpg
 
Okay, cool. That's what it looked like was going on to me.

Though, as I was saying, your and Edraven99 's cameras both have individual serial numbers as well, 19 for his and 352 on yours. But we don't see that level of fidelity on the parts list, or any sign that every part in the kit got a unique serial number. Is that right?

(Edraven99's photo attached for easy reference.)

View attachment 1002561

YES each would have their own serial number, sorry I have been referring to the R.A.F REF part numbers on each item (my bad I need to edit my posts) as this has been a discussion on the Clamp Number 114A/63

4.jpg RAF Graflex 2.jpg
 
YES each would have their own number, sorry I have been referring to the stamped part numbers on each item as this has been a discussion on the Clamp Number 114A/63

Great. Thanks for clearing that up, and thanks for sharing the info about the ground camera kits. Very exciting stuff!
 
Here is my S92 checklist. Individual components have the same serials as Ian’s. Should be the same/similar method for the Graflex units.
 

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