USSRPhoto.com

Forums / Collectors and Users Open Forum

Fed NKVD with odd serial numbers

98 posts in this thread showing replies 61-80 of 97
Reply with Quote Edit Reply Delete Reply
Vlad,
Although I no longer have the photographs, Igor went and took photos of both locations, so I'm not sure that they are the same building. If I remember correctly, the smaller building was several blocks from the main FED factory.

I would think that as they expanded production, they must have expanded their space too?

Regards, Bill

Reply with Quote Edit Reply Delete Reply
When you go to google street view for "Sumskaya 135 Kharkov" you can see what I believe is the old FED factory. Now it seems to be the "Kharkov Aviation Factory" or something similar.

Probably this may have been where the new FED building was and the old one was close, in Lesopark, but smaller and the original factory? Probably "Lesopark 27" may have been an area or group of buildings, rather than a particular building?

Remember this was 80 years ago so your friend in Kharkov may not be old enough to have seen these changes?

Regards, Bill

Reply with Quote Edit Reply Delete Reply
Hi Vlad,

Me too. I have no idea and was just relaying what the guy Igor said and thought. But he did go out and take photos of a different (smaller red brick) building that he said was a FED building.

I don't know if any of these theories are correct. They all seem a little off. My best guess is that these cameras were numbered differently because they were used by an official agency, or as Guido said, for an update.

Sometimes it is better to wait until the answer becomes apparent.

Regards, Bill

Reply with Quote Edit Reply Delete Reply

So, the mystery remains unsolved. This camera is really very well mounted, for me, better than the other Fed NKVD I have seen. But when was it made? Why? And what about the magnetic frame counter, the special release spring, the plaque inside the bottom, the absence of date inside and of course this odd serial number?

Amitiés. Jacques.
PS: Don't hesitate to ask for other photos, if you have ideas.
Reply with Quote Edit Reply Delete Reply
Well, the s/n 67610 is here.

No doubt: it's a 1d with all its features. The shutter box (iron sheet) and the film plate (magnetic, with hole) denote a camera in the c. 110000/150000 range, if all is original. The s/n of the lens (113869) confirms that possibility.

That time, no possible "missing cipher" (167610 would be too far), so, no question to try and find a twin in that range: with such a serial number, it's impossible...

Very happy to get a mysterious camera more!Big smile

Amitiés. Jacques.
PS: date engraved inside: 2/XII. So, the shutter box was regularly controlled.





Reply with Quote Edit Reply Delete Reply
Another 1b for this thread:


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/1742023_IMG_1099.JPG


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/1742023_IMG_1100.JPG

This s/n 1611 is exactly like my s/n 47042, in all details, especially the profile of the release button. Lens s/n 49908.

For the inside date: only X. So october? But why no day, as usual? Would that mean something? In my s/n 47042, the inside date is 22 IX.

Comments are welcome!

Amitiés. Jacques.
Reply with Quote Edit Reply Delete Reply
Jacques,

a very nice find, the FED with the green curtains. I think those cameras are rare. Btw, are other colors than green known? Some Leicas have red curtains as I know.
I took a look inside my 7102, on the right bottom of the shutter housing is "4/17 IV" scratched in.

Ulrich

http://fotos.cconin.de
Reply with Quote Edit Reply Delete Reply

Thanks for the date, Ulrich.
In fact, I have 2/2/IV or 2/R/IV on mine.
So, very probably both cameras were made in april (1935). Our two cameras are twins by all their features. And mine was certainly an exchange under warranty: the original 1a is only some months earlier.
But is it the case too for all the others? Probably not...

Amitiés. Jacques.
Reply with Quote Edit Reply Delete Reply
Jacques,

I have inspected my 4232, unfortunatelly there are no numbers scratched in. But can you check if the part where the bottom locks in (near the two screws for the spring tension are) it screwed in or rivited? On mine this part is screwed. On my 5899 and the 7102 this part is rivited.

Ulrich

http://fotos.cconin.de
Reply with Quote Edit Reply Delete Reply
Yes, Ulrich.
On the early Fed 1a, the "locking bar" was screwed, like on the Leicas, then it was riveted. I have just checked my Fed 1a-s: this bar is riveted on the s/n 5431 and screwed on the 1453, 3132 and 4642. It would not be normal to have a 1b with a screw bar.

I think that the original 1a s/n 4557 (which certainly had a screwed bar) was defective and the whole camera was exchanged against an early 1b taken on the assembly line, on which the 1a number was engraved (the same was made by Leitz for the Leicas). That explains the riveted bar and the green curtains. The date scratched inside must be a 1b's, not 1a's.
But you know all that!Smile

Amitiés. Jacques.

Reply to Topic

Forum code enabled