Graflex Variations: Facts and vs. Replica

[Scruffylooking]

Never shared my recent acquisition. A super shiny 1928 Folmer Graflex (no patent) It’s actually my first vintage graflex! I’ve given up on finding “the one” for ANH, so this one will suffice.

 

[Halliwax]

Gorgeous!

 

[Antiquarian]

Never shared my recent acquisition. A super shiny 1928 Folmer Graflex (no patent) It’s actually my first vintage graflex! I’ve given up on finding “the one” for ANH, so this one will suffice.View attachment 1646075View attachment 1646076View attachment 1646077View attachment 1646078View attachment 1646079

May I ask how much this Graflex was?

 

[DarthBlanK]

After spending months watching auctions, missing a couple opportunities, I finally pulled the trigger on a 2-cell.
Figured it was less likely to be a repro, and honestly the asking rate on a 3-cell is more then I'm willing to invest.
Seller was asking 427, but accepted an offer for 320.

In general I was trying to stay away from things that looked shiny or clean. For instance, someone is asking 700 for this buffed 2-cell, which honestly, even if it was vintage, I wouldn't want it.

For now I just popped a bubble strip in and called it a day,
A some point I will likely build a 3-cell ANH conversion, but I'm happy leaving it displayed as an original 2-cell.

It's a Venn Diagram (sort of).

 

[Sym-Cha]

There's a Folmer New York being advertised as 'Vintage' on ebay, yet it clearly has a replica clamp ... question are the top and bottom replica as well or are they authentic/genuine? Here are the pictures of the 3 Cell in question :

The clamp is replica see the smooth ends of the sidebars, the opening for the lacking slot-screw is on the opposite or X-side from the G R A F L E X text and the G is not in line with the tab holes.

Chaïm

 

[IronDestinyProps]

Thank you for mentioning this, Chaim. That clamp is definitely a replica and I am inclined to believe the bottom tube is also a replica because the "Os" on the bottom stamping are too squared off compared to the vintage stamped bottoms I have on hand. The upper is a tough call, but since the clamp and bottom seem suspect I'm inclined to think the same of the upper.

That being said, it's a tough call on the upper and lower flash halves. They might be vintage. Could this be a Parks replica?

 

[Sym-Cha]

My Parks has more rounded O's which makes me curious to see your 'vintage' stamped bottoms now ... the bottom lip on my Parks is more flat too. So yeah it's a tough call indeed ... real vintage on top ... compared to auction stamping :

Chaïm

 

[v312]

Why don't you simply ask the seller for more pictures. On the upper the replicas I've seen don't really have the beertab and bunny ears rivets quite right and ask for a picture of the inside of the lower - the old folmers are usually very well chromed inside (and usually have some corrosion, residue, etc from use) and the replicas tend to have only very spotty chroming on the inside
I mean if the seller refuses to do it it's a red flag anyway.

 

[IronDestinyProps]

The Ms seem to be a little too wide and the Os too square in the listing's stamped bottom.

Here are some vintage stamped bottoms:

Notice the rectangular sync slots on this vintage are straight and crisp:

By contrast, the listing's rectangular slots have slightly soft, non-crisp edges and there is less space on either side of the slotted screw than on the vintage above:

 

[IronDestinyProps]

I have a feeling the listing may be a TGS replica.

 

[Sym-Cha]

This auction was posted on Fb by another and some members replied and confirmed the same IronDestinyProps it's probably a TGS replica, that saves me the hassle to follow and find someone to bid for me (seller only ships USA), whilest still looking for an affordable New York No-Patent 3 Cell

Chaïm

 

[Twisty]

I actually messaged the eBay seller about this listing and got a few more pictures. The battery tube is 100% TGS. I can barely make out their stamp in the photo but it’s there… and I’d bet the top is TGS as well (or at least a replica). The brass bulb contact is way too new.

 

[Twisty]

Has anyone ever come across a Folmer Graflex 2 cell with or without a patent number?

In the 1940 patent filing, a two cell battery can is shown, but I don’t think they started making two cells until after the end of WW2.

Two things happened in 1945 to lead me to this conclusion… in June, The Folmer Graflex Corp. changed their name to Graflex Inc. and WW2 ended when Japan surrendered to the allied forces in September.

After the war ended, sales of their camera equipment to consumers were allowed to resume. I would venture a guess that the 2 cell flash was geared toward hobbyists.

I would like to hear your thoughts and if anyone has ever seen a Folmer 2 cell, I would love to see photos!

-T

 

[THX1138]

I have an original 2-Cell Folmer bottom without a patent number. I'll dig it out and post a picture.

- Jim

 

[teecrooz]

I’ve had one or two of them also. I believe NY and Folmer with patent. I’ll have to see if I still have any. I know I sold one of them to The Ninja at some point.

 

[The Ninja]

Has anyone ever come across a Folmer Graflex 2 cell with or without a patent number?

In the 1940 patent filing, a two cell battery can is shown, but I don’t think they started making two cells until after the end of WW2.

Two things happened in 1945 to lead me to this conclusion… in June, The Folmer Graflex Corp. changed their name to Graflex Inc. and WW2 ended when Japan surrendered to the allied forces in September.

After the war ended, sales of their camera equipment to consumers were allowed to resume. I would venture a guess that the 2 cell flash was geared toward hobbyists.

I would like to hear your thoughts and if anyone has ever seen a Folmer 2 cell, I would love to see photos!

-T

There was both 2-Cell Folmer Graflex Corp New York Flash (Telegraph style & Red Button style) & Folmer Graflex Corp Pat#2310165 Flash built, I've collected many over the years I've been hunting and currently have in my collection;

1x 2-Cell Folmer Graflex Corp New York Flash (complete)
1x 2-Cell Folmer Graflex Corp New York Flash (bottom)
4x Folmer Graflex Corp Pat#2310165 Flash (bottom)

 

[Twisty]

There was both 2-Cell Folmer Graflex Corp New York Flash (Telegraph style & Red Button style) & Folmer Graflex Corp Pat#2310165 Flash built, I've collected many over the years I've been hunting and currently have in my collection;

1x 2-Cell Folmer Graflex Corp New York Flash (complete)
1x 2-Cell Folmer Graflex Corp New York Flash (bottom)
4x Folmer Graflex Corp Pat#2310165 Flash (bottom)

View attachment 1692494

View attachment 1692494

Thanks for sharing the photos! Nice to know that Folmer 2 cells do exist

-T

 

[yodajedi]

Hello all, hope everyone is good

Ive always wanted a vintage Graflex Luke Skywalker lightsaber so I finally bit the bullet and got one from eBay. I was really lucky to find this forum and thread and I read through it beforehand but I’m not 100% sure how genuine it is.

I’m hoping at least the top part of the flash tube is genuine vintage but not sure what you think of the rest of the parts? The Bottom tube says Manufactured by Graflex and has a patent number on that’s covered by the two rivets and D ring holder. The bubble strip doesn’t have the right number of bubbles I think.

I’ve taken far too many photos(sorry) but hopefully it can help others looking to identify whats vintage and what’s not depending on your expert thoughts.

Thank you so much for your time and any questions or requests please do ask.

 

[yodajedi]

Last few pics, thanks

 

[newmagrathea]

Last few pics, thanks

The Graflex appears to be real. You are correct in that the bubble strip is incorrect, it should only have 7 bubbles. Also the d-ring tab is very wrong and I worry that the holes are not going to be hidden if you were to replace the d-ring tab with an accurate one. The T-track grips are also wrong in the profile. I would recommend wannawanga.com for replacing the parts with accurate replicas. But at the end of the day if you are happy with it, that's all that really matters. Welcome to the club.