Unusual early FED-1 #7714

Hello friends,

let me show you very unusual type of early Fed-1 camera. Although having all the features of early Feds, this sample comes with rectangular finder's window already! Seems to be the first known such a type camera, though these top plates become regular since appr. #8600 ... That's why I like soviet cameras collecting very much ...



Best Regards,
Aidas

The first time we see such a window with such a serial number.
Amazing!
With that number, it should be a 1b first type (no shoe, as it is), and Leica type finder...

Thanks Aidas!
Amitiйs. Jacques.

Nice camera example and probably one of the earliest with stepped window.

In Albino Pegorari's small book with classification of FED, he gives the "FED-1b2" serial number range as "7,700 - 11,500 approx." and that around this time is when the accessory shoe is also added. Camera number 10,000 was produced in September 1935.

Princelle say the stepped window starts at serial number 6,000 and accessory shoe at 8,000 to 9,000. Usually Pegorari os more accurate as to make his classification he has studied many examples of each model. I have never seen the one like this with no shoe and stepped window.


Regards, Bill

Hi Jacques,

sorry to dissapoint you , but it seems, that new designed top plate was introduced on the earliest NKVD versions already. BTW the particular camera comes with green shutter curtains. Serial number of the lens - #7792.

Best Regards,
Aidas

Bill,

Yuriy Davidenko showing us camera #7855, as the last so far known camera without accessory shoe yet. Camera collector from Russia Anatoliy Zilbert possess camera #8031 with shoe added already. Both cameras have "notched" window yet. My #8550 is one of latest known FED cameras from that "notched" group ...

Best Regards,
Aidas

Hi Aidas!

No disappointment, but just the contrary: curiosity and passion.
We have already discussed about these 1b.
About all I had read and observed, I had no reason till now to modify the classification of these early 1b we had already spoken of:
-without shoe, notched window: # c. 6000-7800;
-with shoe, notched window: # c. 7800-8700;
-with shoe, rectangular and stepped window: c. 8700-10500.

I own too several cameras in these ranges, but nothing out.

So now we will have to think once more of the internal working of the factory. Not easy to guess what happened exactly, unless somebody wants a no-shoe camera, which would seem amazing if we consider the number of 1a-s which have a shoe.
If Jim could help us...

Amitiйs. Jacques.

Maybe ran out of shoes on this day and production numbers were under pressure. And later numbers, with notched windows, were maybe because the new 'stepped' window plate was not available (ran out of the ones already made). All of these cameras were made in the first years of operation of this small workshop commune and things were not always as we might think about it.

In the first month (January 1934) only 40 cameras were made. From January 1934 to September 1935, about 20 months in all, only 10,000 cameras made! So an average of only about 500 per month ... average of 16 cameras a day, of course less towards the beginning of 1934 and more at the last months of 1935. So the production line must have been very primitive and to produce all these parts was difficult, so when some new part ran short or ran out, an older part had to be substituted. This can easily be seen with the 'brushed finishes of the chrome, in two separate periods (serial number groups) when the correct chemicals for making the matte chrome ran out. Also easy to see by the variation in the vulcanite textures. I think especially the first year was pretty primitive when compared to the production of cameras starting in 1936. I am actually amazed that the cameras are as consistant in the details as they are. Take a look at the photos on page 89 of Princelle, of the young kids making the cameras at FED commune ... some kids look about 12 - 14 years old!

Very good work you are doing to refine the other classifications that already exist Aidas!

Regards, Bill

To me it's a perfectly normal situation for USSR industry; FED got new mold (or new equipment) and made test run for new top plates. This new plates was put on few cameras to show for approval. In meanwhile FED continue to use old mold for some time. Aidas possibly found such showcase camera. Lucky Aidas.

Yes ... I agree with Okynek that it is a good possibility that it just one of a few (or perhaps the only) test showcase camera. Maybe a list of cameras with serial numbers close to this on, on either side of it will eventually tell the story. If no others are found near it with the same details it may be unique, or maybe part of a small initial run of redesigned top plates. It is obvious that FED wanted a new design for the front finder window because even these step-down windows were only produced in an amount of about 5,000 and only, it seems, in 1935. Very unique find!

Regards, Bill

Hi,

thanks for your comments! I agree with Okynek's and Bill's opinion absolutely! Just few weeks ago I have contacted two FED camera experts Yuriy Davidenko (Ukraine) and Sergey Kochergin (Belarus) to say their's opinion about the particular camera. And they have confirmed me the same hypotesis, as Okynek recently did ...

It's interesting to say, that particular Fed #7714 was sold at Christie's Auction in 1999 (lot No.43, see picture below). It was obtained in London by camera collector from United States. 10 years after this cute camera came to Lithuania ...




Best Regards,
Aidas

"....to Lituania". So this camera is yours, Aidas? I hadn't understand. Congratulations!

A showroom or a trial camera is the probable explanation. When comparing a 1932 Leica Couplex and a 1934-36 Fed 1a or early 1b, it's clear that Fed didn't control correctly the metallurgy of this notched finder and more generally the problems of the corners! But I had never seen such a number with a stepped window. So Aidas's camera is perhaps unique: an historical item...

The green curtains are very interesting too. The 1a # 927 on Molotok has green ones too, like a 1d on sale on eBay at present. Do you have a special knowledge about this green? Original or repair?

Thanks for showing that camera!
Amitiйs. Jacques.

Hi Jacques,

Thanks! Yes, this interesting camera was my very first purchase this year ... ... and I enjoy it a lot!

Although I can't find any signs of possible repair, I can't say 100 per cents it's authentic curtains. As you know, I have no special knowledge to prove this or vice versa. BTW my another camera #8550 comes with authentic (?) blue curtains, if I remember correctly ...

Best Regards,
Aidas

My #8528 (22 from yours!)has black ones with a very fine texture which looks authentic.
It could be another proof that at that time Fed tried several different solutions and probably different external makers...

Amitiйs. Jacques.

In USSR experimental items and especially new cameras was intended to stay in hands of officials who approve it. They considered being a soft bribe by manufacture. This camera may had very reach history.....

My FED #7940 does not have an accessory shoe.
I'll take a picture of it over the weelend.
Yuri

quote:

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Originally posted by AidasCams

Bill,

Yuriy Davidenko showing us camera #7855, as the last so far known camera without accessory shoe yet. Camera collector from Russia Anatoliy Zilbert possess camera #8031 with shoe added already. Both cameras have "notched" window yet. My #8550 is one of latest known FED cameras from that "notched" group ...

Best Regards,
Aidas

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Hi Yuri,

many thanks! Your #7940 now becoming the latest known camera from particular group! It's very close to optional margin of #8000, so it's very important data to me either ...

Best Regards,
Aidas

Really interesting!
In fact, there are more "non shoed" early 1b than I thought, even if some owners "shoed" them afterwards.
So, why can't I find one of these at a reasonable price?

Amitiйs. Jacques.

Hi Jacques,

I will assist you to choose one at Bievres 2009 ...


Best Regards,
Aidas

As promised, pictures of the FED #7940

A very fine camera, with a slightly swinging 9: the engravings were probably hand made with one mask by cipher...
I suppose the release button was changed: I never saw a circled one on an original camera before the # 5xxxx.

Thanks for you assistance at Biиvres, Aidas!
I will be delighted to get acquainted with you!

Amitiйs. Jacques.