Unknown, unidentified (35mm projector)

[Minox]

Hi guys...I have seen this on a FB group and wondered what exactly it is.

Can anyone shed some light (pun not intended) onto this interesting contraption, please? Much appreciated indeed!

 

[Dustin McAmera]

Looks like a projector. Either it is missing the bits that hold reels of film, or maybe it's only intended for short film-strips of still images ('Wildlife of the Bible Lands', etc). Clearly something with perforations is advanced by cranking that handle.

 

[Dustin McAmera]

Check out the Dagestad Collection at Flickr: some of these are obviously cousins of the device you saw. Some ofr glass slides, some for horizontal strips of just a few slides, some for film reels.

The Dagestad Collection

Explore The Dagestad Collection’s 709 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

 

[Dustin McAmera]

In that collection, this one has some similar features, though it's mounted on a wood base, not cast metal like yours. The pipe-end sticking up behind the lens should contain a telescoping support for the film reel holder.

 

[Kino]

Appears to be a typical 35mm "toy" or home projector that could range anywhere from the 1900's to the 1930's.

Take a bit of scrap 35mm film and see if the sprocket teeth on the roller line up with perforations of the film. Since modern still film is perforated with KS perforations, the fit will be very loose, as perforations of this period were BH perforations; barrel shaped with rounded corners.

There were other gauges of film in this time period, but I expect it to be 35mm (hence the test). Some home movie gauges were 17.5, 22 and 28mm film, but the sprocket profile on this machine suggests 35mm.

Open the film gate and swing the lens to the side: does it have claws that oscillate on each side of the aperture when the crank is turned? If it does not, and a square bracket rotates under the projection aperture, then it is a "beater" movement and probably closer to 1900 than 1930.

Look in the lamp house: does it have an oil lamp or an electric socket?

The projector appears to have been modified; those rails that extend outward in front do not appear to be original. Someone probably modified it to take a larger reel of film, as these were intended to take 10 to 100 feet of film maximum for home use.

From the look and the build, I would place it between 1910 and 1915 or so...

 

[Dustin McAmera]

I think Minox only has the picture from Facebook.

 

[Minox]

I think Minox only has the picture from Facebook.

That's right, no actual thing in my hands. Thx !

 

[Minox]

Thank you all for your for your kind input, really appreciated. I just learned that this gizmo is a 35mm projector, 1912 German made.

Again, many thanks to all !!

 

[Minox]

Thank you for moving the post to an appropriate location.