Identify the 1880's camera that used this lensboard

[Sirplus]

142856

As I am rebuilding an 1880's Ross of London, Tailboard camera,(most likely built by Meagher), I remembered a photo album I have of a voyage onboard HMS Wild Swan 1885 to 1887.
It show's what I believe is the lens board off the camera that was used on the trip. I have been looking at many vintage mahogany cameras and non quite match.
It would be quite novel to know the exact camera that was used at sea.

Cheers

Ron

[Steven Tribe]

It is a typical sector shutter for that period, which looks as if it needs a service. Earlyphotography.co.uk now has a section on shutters. I'll have a look.

[Sirplus]

Thanks, that makes sense since the camera still took the picture with the broken shutter removed, hence a bit of motion blur that no other shot has. What type of camera did the Royal Navy use before 1886? I’ve been searching for a while but haven’t found an example that incorporated that type of shutter. It looks like it could fit on typical British tailboard camera.

Ron

[Steven Tribe]

I somehow doubt that the RN issued a standard photographic equipment set to establishments as early as the 1880's. The only organisation I know that did this so early was the Prison service for mug shots. The RAF had a standard set available for military airfields during WW2.

I am not very strong on this type of camera and early shutter, but it certainly doesn't look like a typical tailboard camera from this period. Note that the hole for the lens is not central in what must be a substantial front section of the camera- rather than a traditional lens board. Sector shutters were high tech and more likely to be on an "advanced" box type camera from someone like Marion of Soho. These are typically designed around a specific lens and focal length.

[Sirplus]

143220

Here is a close up camera piece, not clear enough to read the name plate. I also see a plate holder in the original photo, it looks like it would be a half-plate camera.

Ron

[Steven Tribe]

There is also a photographic case of some kind behind/under her (the figure to the left) right arm. Looks very much like the boxes which held the complete set of a camera and plate holders.

[Sirplus]

143256

Good eye, how did I miss that? Here are all the camera items together including the plate holder. Am I missing anything else?

Cheers

Ron

[Sirplus]

143257

Here is the complete photo. It was taken onboard the HMS Wild Swan in 1887, half way into her trip to Victoria ( Esquimalt Naval base) B.C. Canada.
Could that be a lens resting on the plate holder?