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  Unknown Field Camera 2

 

8 x 10
unknown28x10a208.jpg (52685 bytes)
unknown28x10b208.jpg (21915 bytes)unknown28x10c208.jpg (20169 bytes)
unknown28x10d208.jpg (22731 bytes)unknown28x10e208.jpg (21770 bytes)

 

Date Introduced: - ; Years Manufactured: c. 1890
Construction: front focus via rack and pinion (single gear track in middle of base); single swing; reversing by removable back
Materials: mahogany body; cherry base; black leatherette bellows (may be a replacement); brass hardware
Sizes Offered: 8x10 (illustrated);
Notes:

In design, this camera bears resembles an American Optical "St. Louis"., in that it is a front focus camera having a narrow front extension, and that the ground glass frame is spring loaded to float over the plate holder when it is inserted.  However, the hardware is entirely unique, especially its large, trapezoidal sheets that clip the back at the top (which actually bear some resemblance to early Blair clips), the complex-shaped swing plate (illustrated in the detail above), and the spring-loaded mechanism that makes the bed rigid (see the top photo).  Also rather unusual is the over-use of screws - most of them appear to be original to the camera.
References:
 

 

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