Dado and Lift rod holes

I have two Seneca cameras; 5X7 and 8X10. Both have slots around the interior of the back with long springs on two sides. Are they for a slider that fits into the dado? It's on the camera side of the back so the film holder is outside it.

The backs also have rods that go through the back and act as a lever that opens the back like a bale. My 5X7 has one in it but the 8X10 has had it removed and the holes stuffed with some kind of felt. I might make one for it, it really works great on the 5X7. It's so compact I am surprised that other cameras of the era didn't have them. Maybe they had a patent on it?

Curt

Any chance for some pic's Curt? This sounds interesting and I'd like to see what you're describing

cheers

Hi John, I have been swamped today but I will take some pictures and post them here.

Curt

The dadoes w/springs should be for splitters. Deardorffs also have 'em.

I looked at my Agfa and I have the same thing. When you say "splitters", are you saying a splitter to block out a portion of the photo?

cheers