The Ultimate Luke ANH Graflex Research & Discussion Thread

[Diego86]

Told myself that my graflex collection was complete unless something really special came along………..

Got this last week, pretty much my dream version. If the clamp bar had been stamped that would have been nice but I’m honestly delighted with it.

The bulb assembly lip is chipped but it looks fine. I’ll add an early glass eye and possibly change the button but apart from that I’m going to leave it as is.

Delighted to have this in my collection View attachment 1802034View attachment 1802035View attachment 1802037View attachment 1802040View attachment 1802063

Colin, this actually IS a really special piece. this is the real top half of that recent RAF folmer discovered by ChrisR. This Graflex and the other with the RAF stamp on it discovered by ChrisR in fact comes from the same seller who put them up for sale practically at the same time or a few days apart. Speaking with ChrisR privately in recent days it turned out that the eBay seller found them together and that it is very likely he inverted the top half of one with the bottom of the other. As you can see from the images that Colin showed his new top half reflects all the features that a genuine and complete RAF-Flex top half must have:

- Chrome Bunny Ears Ring (the second version)
- Chrome Bulb Socket Slotted Screw
- Straight and Round Head Brass Pins
- Thin Knurling & Single Step Folmer Red Button
- Shiny and Machined Finish Beer Tab Pin Head

Congrats Colin, you deserve it!

 

[v312]

v312 ... no I meant another ... this one :

View attachment 1802074
FOLMER NEW YORK Graflex Flash 3-Cell Vintage Authentic from the same seller as the rusty RAF Folmer. It has me confused now.

Chaïm

I've looked up the listing on ebay, as far as I can tell this button is also not a replica, unless they have become real close to the genuine buttons nowadays. But for this early graflex the button should have been with the stripe knurling not the full one like the later so it is probably swapped from another graflex

 

[Sym-Cha]

Okay thanks v312 ... as I said to Diego86 via messenger on Fb yesterday ... I've been looking for a New York bottom or a complete Folmer New York without any luck ... then all of a sudden ebay is flooded with them and I am left standing because of USA bidders only or extravagant high bids put in :

Chaïm

 

[Tracker]

I've been reading the forum for weeks learning about props, mostly aliens stuff and I spotted this board a little too late for me, and saw peoples dealings with me mentioned in a round about way. I'm glad the 2 UK guys are happy with the Graflex they each got from me, I really dropped the ball not doing my due diligence and learning about the RAF serial and the other 3 cell variations, but that's the way things go, important lesson learned. And I miss them already, but I thought you'd like the picture I took when they were still together.

 

[Tracker]

..... it turned out that the eBay seller found them together and that it is very likely he inverted the top half of one with the bottom of the other......

Oh crap, sorry guys. I thought they were the same and must have mixed them when I bagged them up, unless someone else had before me. Looks like you both got to have something special. The photos above were when I just got them before I had done anything so if your eyes are good enough you may be able to work out what happened.

 

[Media Man]

Reading through this thread it seems a shiny lever with a large rivet hasn't been found yet, correct? I recently purchased this vintage flash and noticed the lever looks like this. I haven't received it yet so I can't verify authenticity at the moment but what do you think?

 

[IronDestinyProps]

The rivet head is not large enough to be accurate to the original prop. It may be larger than the average Inc style so I'm wondering if this could be a replica lever but hard to tell without more photos at different angles.

 

[Media Man]

The rivet head is not large enough to be accurate to the original prop. It may be larger than the average Inc style so I'm wondering if this could be a replica lever but hard to tell without more photos at different angles.

Are there any shiny Inc levers or are they all the matted silver? The lever is a part of an Inc flash.

 

[IronDestinyProps]

I've had so many levers cross my bench, I can't recall any shiny Incs but I'm sure they exist. Generally they are the satin/matted variant.

 

[Media Man]

Looking at the other end of the threads they seem to be brass unless its the reflection from the nut. I'll post the full saber to the Graflex Facts and Replica thread when I receive it.

 

[Diego86]

There are no shiny INC lever at all. The finish has been changed from shiny to dull in the late folmer era and has never been changed since then.

 

[Media Man]

Looking at the other end of the threads they seem to be brass unless its the reflection from the nut. I'll post the full saber to the Graflex Facts and Replica thread when I receive it.

View attachment 1815319

Just to let the thread know, the lever and sidebar with nut were replica. Two tabs on the inside had been ground down, like you'd do for a V2, so thats what I'm thinking in terms of why it had replica parts. Everything else was vintage though thankfully.

 

[Tracker]

In the interest of research and discussion here is my new to me Graflex set up, I thought I was getting the smaller version but it’s the 4x5 and beautiful although the camera needs a bit of tlc especially the lens shutter but fixing them is my thing. It is recently imported from USA to UK so alas not MOD issue, although the box looks military, the box has P - 12 - PE stamped in a couple of places, is that an army thing?
The serial on the camera 365037, placing it at 1946.

The chrome on the Graflex clip seems to be flaking off, how do people feel about that, is there a good way to protect it without destroying? I suppose if I re chrome it will just be like another reproduction. It’s 3 cell, with patent and seems complete. The wire from flash to camera will need replacement, and I’ll give that a go too. There is a bit of battery juice corrosion near the glass eye, any advice on cleaning it up? Everything looks like it’s been together since new, but I think it’s had some upgrades, the camera rangefinder seems to be where the extra bracket is from, and there is a compatible but longer battery holder. The extra battery holder is aluminium and not chromed.

I’m planning on dressing this one up to be “Luke’s Camera” and maybe doing my first cosplay, so nfs. If anyone wants photos of anything I missed please let me know.

 

[db94]

Colin, this actually IS a really special piece. this is the real top half of that recent RAF folmer discovered by ChrisR. This Graflex and the other with the RAF stamp on it discovered by ChrisR in fact comes from the same seller who put them up for sale practically at the same time or a few days apart. Speaking with ChrisR privately in recent days it turned out that the eBay seller found them together and that it is very likely he inverted the top half of one with the bottom of the other. As you can see from the images that Colin showed his new top half reflects all the features that a genuine and complete RAF-Flex top half must have:

- Chrome Bunny Ears Ring (the second version)
- Chrome Bulb Socket Slotted Screw
- Straight and Round Head Brass Pins
- Thin Knurling & Single Step Folmer Red Button
- Shiny and Machined Finish Beer Tab Pin Head

Congrats Colin, you deserve it!

Only been a few months since I posted but very pleased to say, thanks to a friend, I was able to add a stamped RAF Folmer to my collection.
Obviously I’m absolutely delighted, yep, that’s my Graflex collection complete.

 

[ID10T]

 

[Scruffylooking]

Thought I’d share my Folmer graflex, now accompanied by a plaque signed by Mark Hamill from his recent signing.

 

[Halliwax]

Thought I’d share my Folmer graflex, now accompanied by a plaque signed by Mark Hamill from his recent signing.View attachment 1866094

Wicked!!

 

[ID10T]

The signature is a nice touch!

Did he handle the saber, or just sign the plaque?

 

[Scruffylooking]

The signature is a nice touch!

Did he handle the saber, or just sign the plaque?

No, just signed the plaque.

 

[ID10T]

Still pretty damn cool.