Folmer & Schwing 7x17 Serial #

**Roger Thoms** · 13-Dec-2020, 20:51

Any idea where the serial number might be located? I looked all over and couldn't find one.

Roger

**Lachlan 717** · 14-Dec-2020, 02:33

Possibly/probably doesn’t have one.

My Korona has a number, but it’s an assembly number so the proprietary pieces were able to stay together throughout assembly.

S/Ns didn’t seem to be as important back then...

**Roger Thoms** · 14-Dec-2020, 14:49

Took another good look and that’s the conclusion I’m coming to.

Roger

**Greg** · 14-Dec-2020, 16:46

Look very closely at the wooded parts, especially on the bottom of the camera near the tripod mount. Have seen a few old cameras that the date of manufacture was (very) lightly stamped into the wood. Have yet to see a camera like yours bearing a serial number.

**Michael Roberts** · 14-Dec-2020, 19:12

Same place as a 2D? If nobody else chimes in, I’ll get my 8x10 out tomorrow and let you know where to look.
I was able to ID my 2D as a 1948. As far as I recall, you have to use rear swing or tilt to expose the serial number on the cross piece below the rear frame.

**Louis Pacilla** · 14-Dec-2020, 19:17

Hey Roger

I have a near new original everything (not refinished)F&S 7x17 and I'll look it over once I'm back in town this coming Wednesday.I'm about 90% sure there is the standard F&S serial # like found on a 8a Studio Camera or Commercial View and it's not in an obvious placement.

**Michael Roberts** · 15-Dec-2020, 13:58

Memory was spot on for once. Tilt the rear frame back to expose the serial number underneath on the left side.

Works on my 8x10 2D, maybe it's the same on your 7x17.

**RichardRitter** · 15-Dec-2020, 14:50

Most of the camera I worked on do not have serial numbers on the cameras.

**Roger Thoms** · 15-Dec-2020, 15:01

The 2D location was the first place I looked and definitely no serial number there. Just had my third good hard look and I can’t find a serial number anywhere. Not a big deal, I was just hoping to get an idea of the date of manufacture.

Louis, if you locate a serial number on yours I would be curious to know where it was located. But don’t go to too much trouble. My Folmer & Schwing is also a very clean example with the original finish so at this point confident that nothing has been altered.

More important at this time is to get the new bellows installed and make new darkslide for my film holders. The holder are in good shape except for the dark slides which are warped and bowed. I have some black anodized aluminum that I need to have cut. Which my brother is going have have done for me on the laser cutter where he works.

Roger

**Louis Pacilla** · 15-Dec-2020, 20:46

Hey Roger the factory serial # is while standing facing the camera head on is found in the upper right hand corner of the rear standards underside. This is for sure as I just looked over my F&S 7x17 serial #41633