Originally Posted by
Steven Tribe
I see that your Lancaster is from 1902, when they had begun their decline from the glorious 1890’s! It is also just contemporaneous with the introduction of more reliable shutters - although their reliability in 2021 can be called into question!
This was also the era of the front and rear mounted curtain shutters, pioneered by Thornton - Pickard. These are comparatively simple to operate, renovate although only providing a few different speeds - but it was quite sufficient for the Edwardians! All you have to do is to get hold of one which has an opening that:
- matches the size of the flange (for lens board mounted T-P shutters) OR
- matches the diameter of the lens hood (for the front mounting versions)
The problem with purchasing an early lens with central shutter is that there is little standardization early on. It wasn’t always with neat front and rear cells that fitted into the shutter. There were shortened barrels on both sides of the shutter sometimes. When early shutters have problems, there are difficulties with spare parts and reluctant skilled repairers. Getting a replacement shutter of the right type, size and working condition is impossible and you will, almost certainly, be paying for one already fitted out with a lens!
Bookmarks