Ok, not sure where to post this - sorry if it needs moving...
In case anyone's missed it, I'm rehabbing a Seneca Competitor 5x7 wooden field camera. Call it first-timer's glee or something, but I'm completely taken with this camera. I'm also finding myself wondering more about it, and the company.
According to this site, I've got one of the "Variation 2" Competitors with nickeled brass hardware. Counter to what the fiberq site says, though, this one is marked by Seneca, which makes me believe it truly is a Seneca:
That last little tag, though (which is in bodaciously tiny print, BTW), makes me wonder. I've googled "Bastian Brothers Rochester NY" and gotten a lot of stuff about numismatic societies and class pins, but nothing about cameras. I'd have thought there'd be something out there about the link.
Also, my camera has a "13" stamped in both the front rails and the rear rails. Serial number? Can't find anything about model numbers, other than the names.
FWIW, the camera is coming along wonderfully. Going to be a true looker when it's done, ready to go another 100 years. Regluing joints, stripping and reapplying lacquer, replacing some wood (which is going to get stained with alkanet root dye). The nickel is in great shape and looks fine against the mahogany-stained birch. And the only hickup in its operation, a little misstep when the gears hit a certain spot on the gear rack, seems to be caused by a mounting nail that's worked its way up a little.
Anyway, thanks for listening to the ramblings. Anyone has any info on this camera or this company, I'd be interested in hearing from ya.
Scott
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