John Schneider
19-Sep-2016, 22:29
This is both a general question and one about a particular lens. And if I've misstated something, please, please correct it for future reference.
A. First, it's well know than when Goerz was a corporate entity, their serial numbers ran from about 70,xxx to about 84x,xxx and maybe a little bit higher.
B. After that, when Schneider of America stepped in, they used existing Goerz optical elements and assembled as many lenses as they could, all in aluminum mounts. I've seen the longer RD Artars (42" and higher) from this phase with triple-digit serial numbers, such as 003 and 016; and more common, shorter lenses (such as the 6" Dagor; I had two of these are they performed the same as earlier GD lenses) with 4-digit serial numbers such as 51xx and 54xx.
C. Later, Schneider of America sourced the lenses to Kern of Switzerland and these had 2,xxx,xxx serial numbers.
D. And finally, Schneider-Kreuznach absorbed the lens(es) remaining in production (I believe just the 14" Dagor?), placed them the Schneider serial number scheme (14,xxx,xxx), and at the end gave them metric f.l. markings.
But, between B. and C., there were a few lenses with 1,xxx,xxx serial numbers (no Kern markings). I remember one such lens in the FS section here, maybe 10 years ago, and I have one that I got a few years and always wondered about. Mine's a 24" Goerz Optical Co. RD Artar with the sapphire coating, and duller, rougher anodizing usually seen on late L.D. Artars, s/n 1,100,xxx.
Was this lens made or assembled by Schneider of America, or did Kollmorgan have something to do in this transitional period?
A. First, it's well know than when Goerz was a corporate entity, their serial numbers ran from about 70,xxx to about 84x,xxx and maybe a little bit higher.
B. After that, when Schneider of America stepped in, they used existing Goerz optical elements and assembled as many lenses as they could, all in aluminum mounts. I've seen the longer RD Artars (42" and higher) from this phase with triple-digit serial numbers, such as 003 and 016; and more common, shorter lenses (such as the 6" Dagor; I had two of these are they performed the same as earlier GD lenses) with 4-digit serial numbers such as 51xx and 54xx.
C. Later, Schneider of America sourced the lenses to Kern of Switzerland and these had 2,xxx,xxx serial numbers.
D. And finally, Schneider-Kreuznach absorbed the lens(es) remaining in production (I believe just the 14" Dagor?), placed them the Schneider serial number scheme (14,xxx,xxx), and at the end gave them metric f.l. markings.
But, between B. and C., there were a few lenses with 1,xxx,xxx serial numbers (no Kern markings). I remember one such lens in the FS section here, maybe 10 years ago, and I have one that I got a few years and always wondered about. Mine's a 24" Goerz Optical Co. RD Artar with the sapphire coating, and duller, rougher anodizing usually seen on late L.D. Artars, s/n 1,100,xxx.
Was this lens made or assembled by Schneider of America, or did Kollmorgan have something to do in this transitional period?