Unknown Vest Pocket Strut Camera

Manufacturer Unknown

Name:	As yet to be identified
Type:	Strut camera
Manufacturer:	Unknown
Country of Origin:	Germany
Construction:	Small strut camera for VP plates. Leather covered wooden body with metal face plate. Preset focus adjustment built into side of body that works with the strut opening mechanism to open camera at a preset focus range.
Production Period:	Unknown

 

Plate / Film Size:	2¼" x 1 5/8" plates
Lens:	Dr Staeble Dopp Anast. Isoplast f5.8
Shutter:	B, T, 1/25, 1/50 & 1/100
Movements:	None
Dimensions (w x h x l):
Date of this Example:	c1900
Serial Number:	40865 stamped into leather on lower edge
Availability:	Common  Uncommon  Hard to Find  Scarce
Inventory Number:	389

<Photographs to be added>

Description

Unusual strut plate camera for VP sized plates. The camera body itself is virtually square. The body is leather covered, while the main front is finished in black enamel. Other than the fact that it is clearly German, it is not apparent who manufactured the camera. Only the lens is marked.

A focusing scale is built into the side, but it is unclear how this works. It is clearly damaged and in need of repair. One pin of the scissor struts looks as though it should engage in the focussing scale.

The camera is in good condition, with only minor damage. The bellows are in very good condition. The camera is complete with its ground glass screen and back, but no plate holder.

Notes

A camera of very similar structure was seen at Photographica 2007 and was marked as a Busch Vier-Sechs. This seems plausible but has not yet been validated.

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