Retina serial numbers

[Tobywan]

I recently purchased a Kodak Retina lllC and am trying to find the year it was made. The top plate has 61727 below the cold shoe and the lens has 5389466. Is there a site that lists manufacturing dates for these cameras?

 

[BrianShaw]

There aren't too many resources to get to an exact date. Here is one, but it really describes how complex the serial number strategy was more than anything else:

Post WW2 Retina serial numbers

Post WW2 Kodak Retina serial numbers

retinarescue.com

According to this Wikipedia article, the big-C Retina III was only made for two years, so yours (and mine) probably from 1957 or 1958. It is possible that going through some of the books from the bibliography would reviewl more information.

Kodak Retina - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[JPD]

It may be easier to look up the serial number on the lens.

Schneider serial numbers - Camera-wiki.org - The free camera encyclopedia

camera-wiki.org

Rodenstock serial numbers - Camera-wiki.org - The free camera encyclopedia

camera-wiki.org

 

[Tobywan]

Thanks! It would be awesome if mine was made in 1957, my birth year! At least it’s in better shape than me.

 

[lrlebron]

This Facebook group has lots of Retina info and knowledgeable people
Kodak Retina and Retinette Cameras