Opening a Kodak Junior 1 - an embarrassing problem...

[Rover90]

Hello everyone,

To be honest, it's only embarrassing because it seems to be so straightforward I should be able to figure it out for myself - but I can't..!

..and it made you read the post!!

My granddaughters gave me a Kodak Junior 1 for Christmas. It's the 1954-59 version with the grey plastic top plate. The problem is that when I took it out of the box I discovered that I couldn't open it. The push-button to the right of the viewfinder is jammed and does nothing. There is no access to it from the back, and I obviously can't get to it from the front (!)

Top plate removal has to be the way in here, so I removed the screws from the the knobs, and concealed under the larger winding-on one is another small screw. The screws all came out fine - but I still can't shift the top plate. There is a degree of flex at the winder end (left side as you're looking through the viewfinder), but I'm not going to do too much of that as it's plastic. It seems to be firmly stuck at the right-hand end.

If anyone has any ideas how I might be able to free it, I'd be very grateful.

Belated Happy New Year, and thanks in advance.

Roger

 

[MTGseattle]

I think the knob rotates; (image stolen from *bay)

 

[Dan Daniel]

Not really sure what is going on here, but I will mention that some Kodak cameras have a screw on the inside holding the top in place. Sometimes it is a specific screw or two. Sometimes there is a large 'screw' concentric with the winding knob or feed spool. A flat disk with slots.

 

[MattKing]

Welcome to posting on Photrio - you are patient!
I've tweaked the thread title, because in our experience, an informative title actually increases attention from those who might be of assistance
Have you tried both pushing on the button and at the same time, gently prying the front door - perhaps just with fingernails?
And be sure to try cleaning around the edges of the door - it may be simply a problem with sticky gunk.