Determining age of Crown Graphic

[David Karp]

Hi all,

Does anyone know how to determine the age of a Crown Graphic? Mine is serial number 888126.

Thanks in advance.

[Kevin Crisp]

David: I don't know of a source of information as definitive as the serial number information of some lens manufacturers, as available on the web. If you have an original lens with your camera (as so many of them do) you can often date that and get in the ballpark. I have a Crown which is very close to yours in #, with what I think are original lenses, both with close serial numbers, and it dates to around 1957. Schneider's numbers are approximate, as their web site indicates.

[Dan Fromm]

Ask your question on the www.graflex.org help board.

[Phil_4235]

Here is what you are looking for:

http://www.graflex.org/speed-graphic/manufacturing-code.html

[David Karp]

Thanks for the help guys.

My camera does not have any of the codes shown on the graflex.org site, so based on Kevin's information, it looks like my camera is about the same vintage as me!

I appreciate the help.

[Jim Rhoades]

Crank out the focus rack past the drop front and look at the under side of the H shape. You should find the year stamped there. It's in an ink and coded. It may be well worn. The lens only dates the lens.

[Dave_B]

For those of you who may still be interested in determining the age of their Crown or Speed Graphic cameras by using the serial numbers, the following list is quite helpful. Some places talk about using the lens serial numbers to date the camera but that obviously assumes that the lens on the camera is the original-a dubious assumption after fifty years. This list lets you date the camera itself.
Cheers,
Dave B.

http://graflex.org/helpboard/viewtopic.php?t=4640&sid=8f1eeaea00d14cad64a86633c7e68953

[macandal]

For those of you who may still be interested in determining the age of their Crown or Speed Graphic cameras by using the serial numbers, the following list is quite helpful. Some places talk about using the lens serial numbers to date the camera but that obviously assumes that the lens on the camera is the original-a dubious assumption after fifty years. This list lets you date the camera itself.
Cheers,
Dave B.

http://graflex.org/helpboard/viewtopic.php?t=4640&sid=8f1eeaea00d14cad64a86633c7e68953I want to know this but the link is dead.

[Dan Fromm]

There's an unpublished impossible-to-find and incomplete (starts sometime in 1915, long after Follmer & Schwing started making cameras; ends sometime in 1964 with the notation "See New Book") list of serial numbers. Post your serial number and some of the people who deny having a copy may take pity on you and tell you when your camera's serial number was assigned.

There's a much less complete and correct list on www.southbristolviews.com . Go there, click on The Graflexchange, click on Graflex Graphic Serial Number Info, the click on the "not ...

[toolbox]

Yep...you can get pretty close (close enough) with the list of available serial numbers...

[Louis Pacilla]

1953

[Louis Pacilla]

1953

I don't imagine the OP really gives a shit at this point. I mean he only asked the age of his Crown 10 years ago. :oPay attention Louis.

[macandal]

I'll give this a shot.

My serial number is 985114.

[Jon Shiu]

I'll give this a shot.

My serial number is 985114.

1968, the list: http://graflex.coffsbiz.com/serials.html

[Dan Fromm]

I'll give this a shot.

My serial number is 985114.

A late one, serial number assigned roughly 7,000 numbers after the non-book's last date of 8/17/64. There should be a date code stamped on the bottom of the bed rails. The key to decoding is here: http://graflex.org/helpboard/viewtopic.php?t=3321

[stacy0622]

Hey,

I recently came across a Graflex Crown Graphic camera. In the front it had its serial number 410335. By going to http://graflex.coffsbiz.com/serials.html you can look up your serial number. Mine turned out to be from 1947, pretty darn cool, and it's still in great condition. I just have to find some film to test it out. :D

Hope this helps.


Hi all,

Does anyone know how to determine the age of a Crown Graphic? Mine is serial number 888126.

Thanks in advance.

[Dan Fromm]

Um, 410335 is in a block of 2x3 Crown Graphic serial numbers assigned 2/6/47. Your camera is a 2x3er, isn't it?