voigtlandar brillant serial number

tonyowen · Jul 27, 2018

I have a French Brillant f7.7, [1936} but I cannot find the serial number - does anyone know where it is?
These 'metal' camera, according to several sources, have serial numbers - but I examined the camera all over and connot find any such number
regards

choiliefan · Jul 28, 2018

I have the same camera and there is no serial number. I have one each of Perkeo 127, Superb and Virtus from the same time frame which have serial numbers. These are much nice cameras than the Brillant though.

AgX · Jul 28, 2018

What is french at this Voigtländer camera ?

tonyowen · Jul 28, 2018

AgX said:
What is french at this Voigtländer camera ?

It is the words/language used on the zone setting scale. On my camera the settings are:
Paysage, Groupe, Portrait
meaning
Landscapes, Groups, Portrait.
regards
Tony

shutterfinger · Jul 28, 2018

According to http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Voigtländer_Brillant some metal bodies do not have serial numbers and Bakelite bodies have no serial number.
I've seen some cameras serial numbers stamped into the metal in a way that required the precise viewing angle and light angle to see it.
You might be able to date it via the lens serial number if it has one.

choiliefan · Jul 29, 2018

Tony, mine is in German: Landschaft, Gruppe and Portrat. Metal body, no letter or serial number.
Does yours have a cardboard panel covering part of the counter mechanism in the film chamber?

tonyowen · Jul 29, 2018

shutterfinger said:
I've seen some cameras serial numbers stamped into the metal in a way that required the precise viewing angle and light angle to see it. You might be able to date it via the lens serial number if it has one.

Agreed, but I've tried all viewing angles without success, The lens does not have a serial number only the type, f/#, FL and Voigtlander Braunschweig,
regards
Tony

tonyowen · Jul 29, 2018

choiliefan said:
Tony, mine is in German: Landschaft, Gruppe and Portrat. Metal body, no letter or serial number.
Does yours have a cardboard panel covering part of the counter mechanism in the film chamber?

Not that I can see. The (6x9 image) red counter window [on the lower left hand back has no covering - though I've seen a comment about taping it over due to modern films being red sensitive!!
The correcting counter [for 6x6 images] on the middle left hand side [from front] is not visible from the inside.
regards
Tony

choiliefan · Jul 29, 2018

I carefully looked mine over as well. Unless its hidden under the pressure plate or leatherette, I can't find it.

AgX · Jul 29, 2018

Is it that uncommon that a basic camera has no serial number?

choiliefan · Jul 29, 2018

I don't believe so.

Alan Johnson · Jul 29, 2018

From the link in post 5,
"Some metal bodied cameras from the transition time between metal and bakelite models have no serial number"
I have one, Engish version "Portraits Group Landscapes"
The OP probably has a 1937 model intended for the French market.

tonyowen · Jul 29, 2018

Alan Johnson said:
From the link in post 5,
"Some metal bodied cameras from the transition time between metal and bakelite models have no serial number"
The OP probably has a 1937 model intended for the French market.

You're possibly right. I used " voigtlander.pagesperso-orange.fr/anglais/brillanttousA.htm " for my statement of 1936 French version of the First model type of Brillant camera [even though the second model had been available earlier]. Also I missed the last line of the post 5 reference regarding possible omission of serial numbers on late production of the metal models'

The earlyphotography site shows a "First model" Brillant camera with the serial number I599847 [1936). So there is considerable overlap of model types and serial numbers.
regards
Tony

tonyowen · Aug 23, 2018

Update - I've found my serial number.
It is on the lower inside of the front part of the viewfinder front cover - just below the square protrusion.
My serial number is H547546 ie 1936.
regards
Tony

choiliefan · Aug 24, 2018

No number anywhere on mine.
Time to get out the old metal stamp set and rectify things...

shutterfinger · Aug 24, 2018

On one older camera a 1915 RB Auto Graflex I had the serial number was stamped into the view frame but it had to be viewed at the correct angle to see it. Super Graphics have the serial number stamped into the trim frame and it cannot be seen looking straight on to it. Other camera manufacturers did similar techniques on their cameras in the day. Black ink on a black plate is another technique used.

tonyowen · Aug 25, 2018

choiliefan said:
No number anywhere on mine.

It is very very faint and is difficult to see, but moving the camera or light around it becomes visible - relative large digits.
Even once I knew where it was I sometimes could not find it !!!!!
regards
Tony

tonyowen · Aug 25, 2018

tonyowen said:
It is very very faint and is difficult to see, but moving the camera or light around it becomes visible - relative large digits.
Even once I knew where it was I sometimes could not find it !!!!!
regards
Tony

Here is an image

that shows the position of 'my number'
regards

voigtlandar brillant serial number

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