Shutter service needed for 3x4 Graflex Series D

Hello everybody,

I have a Series D Graflex that has been sitting for a long time and the shutter runs, but she definitely
needs some attention. Is there anybody here who works on them, preferably in the SF Bay Area? I don't
want to ship the old girl too far from home if I don't have to.

Thanks,

Mike Sullivan

It may be 2 or 3 months before I can get to it.
The curtain material swells with age if stored poorly so if the shutter will wind to the 1/8 aperture on tension 6 then there is hope for it. The tension spring weakens with age, use, and being stored on a tension other than 1 and the curtain other than O or closed after O.
There is little that can be done for a weak tension spring other than make a new one which I have not done.

shutterfinger said:

It may be 2 or 3 months before I can get to it.
The curtain material swells with age if stored poorly so if the shutter will wind to the 1/8 aperture on tension 6 then there is hope for it. The tension spring weakens with age, use, and being stored on a tension other than 1 and the curtain other than O or closed after O.
There is little that can be done for a weak tension spring other than make a new one which I have not done.

Click to expand...

Hi shutterfinger,
Thanks for your reply. I just checked the camera and set it to tension 6. I was able to wind it to the 1/8 aperture fairly easily without forcing it I then ran the curtain back to open and reset the tension back to 1.

When I first got got this camera, it was set to tension 1, so I’m feeling hopeful. The camera seems to be in very good condition for Its age. I think that it was taken care of by the people who had it before me. I was told that it was first sold in 1936. It came with a Bagmag that is also in extremely good condition, film pack adapter and about 20 film packs, none of which has an expiration date later than 1957. The lens is a 150mm Zeiss Tessar, and it is also in incredibly good shape. I am thinking that the original owner probably passed away some time in the 50’s and the camera has not been used since then. It does seem to have been well cared for though and I think it was a treasured possession.

Please let me know when you are able to get to it, and I’ll send it right away.

Thanks,

Mike Sullivan

The serial number is stamped or embossed into the view hood door behind the view hood. Folding down the view hood at the top fold should reveal it.
Post the number if you find it.

shutterfinger said:

The serial number is stamped or embossed into the view hood door behind the view hood. Folding down the view hood at the top fold should reveal it.
Post the number if you find it.

Click to expand...

I just checked the serial number and it is 187275

187275 is #42 of an order for 200 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 RB Series D posted on 5/16/35. The next order was a year later.
It is assumed that the cameras were made shortly after the listing in the record and shipped out to the distributor(s). No record was kept as to when the production was carried out.

shutterfinger said:

187275 is #42 of an order for 200 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 RB Series D posted on 5/16/35. The next order was a year later.
It is assumed that the cameras were made shortly after the listing in the record and shipped out to the distributor(s). No record was kept as to when the production was carried out.

Click to expand...

So it’s a little older than I thought it was. Thanks for the info. The old girl looks pretty good for being nearly 86 years old.