Graflex Variations: Facts and vs. Replica

I received my Roman's Graflex today and am quite happy with it. I thought I'd post some pics of it alongside my vintage saber and what I was told is a Parks V1 unit as well to compare and contrast some differences which I hope will benefit this thread in some way. I kept them marked with post it notes but the vintage flash is always in the middle, Roman's on the left and Parks on right.

Adding additional pics of the Roman "summer clamp" alongside the clamp shipped with the new flash unit for comparison. The SC is very shiny in comparison and the levers are quite different in machining.


Top wide.jpg

Side wide.jpg

Bottom wide.JPG

Emitters.jpg

clamp arms.JPG

Clamp CU.jpg


Red button tops.JPG



Red button side.jpgStamps.JPGclamps 2.jpg
summer clamp on left

Clamps 1.JPG
summer clamp on left

Levers.JPGsummer clamp on left
 
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Quick question re vintage Graflexs and the ESB props; I have an ESB styled 2.0 and have been steadily making accuracy mods to it. One thing that initially bugged me about the 2.0 is the unsightly hole that's left after removal of the beer tab. I've remedied that by putting the screw back in without beer tab and I honestly haven't thought about it much since.

For whatever reason, I have always assumed the hole isn't there on a vintage and the beer tab was connected some other way, but recently as I've been looking at pictures of the Romans replica, I'm starting to think that can't possibly be the case.

Does anyone have any photos, preferably of one of the ESB props, or even just one of your own vintages that shows what it looks like without the beer tab?

Thanks
 
I Just added all this to the First Post of this thread:

Roman and his shop did a fantastic job of designing this to be close enough, but have some easy to spot tells so that no one gets scammed.


There are some finish variances in the batch as happens with ALL mass produced items, but the following are so far consistent with this first early batch that are getting into people's hands.


Here's my findings:


Roman’s new replica is based on the more sought after FOLMER Graflex corp variant. On the far right you see how they have been showing up. With the bottom cap nickel plate in very shiny chrome-like appearance. Far left you see, what a scotch brite pad will do with minimal pressure and work.
B20170104-093937.jpg



You can easily spot the tell for the Roman's Empire replica
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The manufacturer hasn’t completely rolled the crimp on the bottom cap causing a sharp visible line
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Aside from some obvious finish variances, the new replica clamp with painted lettering has one obvious tell. The “G” and “X” in the word G R A F L E X stamped across the clamp face, overlap the registration bar stamping holes. The real vintage clamps line up with the leading edge. Older Parks clamps come short in comparison. That said, and not pictured. Roman’s summer 2016 stand alone clamp run is DEAD ON to a real clamp… but much cleaner in finish.
B20170104-094350.jpg



The “beer tab” on a vintage has a more muted, bead blasted finish, where the new replica is very shiny. The beer tab rivet is turned now, and exhibits the turning/machining pattern, but doesn’t seem to have the correct chamfer.
B20170104-094400.jpg



B20170104-094428.jpg



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Slight differences can be seen in the slide switch as well
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As new, Roman’s Glass Eye, is of the shiny variety, that was more common on later Patent Graflex Inc. Flashes
B20170104-094526.jpg



Vintage FOLMER Graflex flashes had a few variations of glass eye. The more common was a brushed or satin finish to a rounded bevel
B20170104-094531.jpg



A lathe and light scotch brite pad work can transform the shiny Roman glass eye
B20170104-094537.jpg



Easily overlooked, but once you see it you can’t miss it… The bunny ears exhibit numerous tells. The Roman ears are taller and of slightly thinner stock. Shapes are different as well.
B20170104-094737.jpg



B20170104-094846.jpg



B20170104-094851.jpg



If I remember correctly… ALL of my FOLMER flashes has straight, smooth post sync pins
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B20170104-094905.jpg



The red buttons on the replica are ALMOST indistinguishable from Parks’ old replicas, but very obviously NOT the same as a vintage. The shapes are different, as are the finishes. However, you can achieve a more vintage look on the very chrome replica button with a lathe and some scotch brite.
B20170104-095037.jpg



B20170104-095113.jpg



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Finally… MOST if not all REAL FOLMER Graflex flashes have square based top sync pins.
B20170104-095349.jpg
 
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Well done!

I think the "G" spacing is not an issue with the letters, as the G is still in the same place relative to the lines as the 2016 clamps. I think the hole stamp is what has moved. Look how much closer the hole is to the lines now.

I must say, after we have diligently done what we do here (nitpick), that Roman's looks outstanding.
 
Yes! Thank your Scott. That is exactly what I was wanting to see. I am definitely going to have to get one of those Roman Graflex flash.
 
sott excellent job documenting the differences. any way you would let us know your trick to "treating" the finish?
 
Hey guys, I was hoping to get some insight as to whether the Graflex I have is genuine. I got it off of eBay about two years ago. I'm pretty sure that it's real but some confirmation from the experts would be comforting haha. Excuse the many pictures and crappy angles. I'm no photographer haha. I'd appreciate your help!
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Looks like the real deal. Congrats on nice New York Folmer. I hope it lines up right for an ESB build. I wouldn't go ANH on it.
My two cents...
 

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