Unknown Rollfilm Camera

Manufacturer Unknown

Name:	As yet to be identified
Type:	Folding rollfilm camera
Manufacturer:	Unknown
Country of Origin:	United Kingdom
Construction:
Production Period:	Unknown

 

Plate / Film Size:	Rollfilm for pictures 3¼" x 4¼"
Lens:	Unknown
Shutter:	T & I shutter integrated into lens board
Movements:	None
Dimensions (w x h x l):
Date of this Example:	c1900
Serial Number:	None
Availability:	Common  Uncommon  Hard to Find  Scarce
Inventory Number:	302

<Photographs to be added>

Description

Unknown and unmarked rollfilm camera that I have not been able to identify. Closest match is to the Butcher Pom-Pom camera shown in McKeown [1], though the one pictured is a vertical format while this is horizontal.

Unusual design in that it has a leather covered lens board, suggesting an early date of around c1900. There is a lever setting to switch between T & I shutter settings, which is stamped in a way that is reminiscent of the markings on German made Butcher falling plate cameras.

This camera has an unusual release mechanism for the back. The film winder and centre for the second spool have to be unscrewed to release the back - the film holders are attached to the back itself rather than within the camera body.

Red bellows in good order, though they are marked in odd places.

Damaged to the base board adjacent to one of the support struts, suggesting that one of the spring assemblies has parted company and has been lost.

Focus shown in feet on a scale attached to lens board. Handle intact (but no markings). Came with a single metal slide. There is no ground glass screen.

Notes

A rollfilm camera of very similar structure was seen at Photographica 2005 and was identified by the dealer as an "early Butcher Carbine". It is certainly similar in form and style to some of the early cameras imported from Germany by Butcher, many then sold under the Carbine name. It also has some similarities to the Pom-Pom cameras, but little information has been found thus far by which to make any positive identification.

This rollfilm camera is also rather similar in form to another unmarked camera that I have in my collection, but this time for plates!

If you are able to share any further information about the camera, please contact me.