FED-S serial number pattern

The thread about the hole in the back had made me discover that my FED-S and FED-1c are only 9 numbers apart in serial #s.. which leads me to this question: were FED-S numbers mixed in randomly into serial # pool or you think they would allocate a block of 20-30 serial #s and they all would be FED-s and then they would go back to regular production? Any serial numbers you've seen indicates of such system?

Vlad

Hi Vlad,
I think youv'e raised a very significant point, and it's something that I for one have never thought about before.
It would be interesting to see if any of us have a 1c with a serial number close to either your 1c, or your Fed-1S.
You have already shown from your own two cameras that standard Fed production was in place within nine cameras from your Fed-1S. It would be great if we could find another camera close to yours, but on the other side to narrow it down even further.
Quite a lot of us have already entered our Fed-1S cameras into the Wiki and so it should be easy for us to check if we have any other Fed-1 cameras (1c, 1d, or 1e) which come close.
Up until now I had only thought about comparing Fed-1S with Fed-1S, and not about comparing the relationship of the Fed-1S with standard Fed-1 production, which in fact will probably provide more detailed information and help to answer your question of batch sizes for the 1S.
I will be home in less than two weeks and will certainly check this out with my own collection along with some other checks regarding other questions raised by members, such as hole in the pressure plate, etc.
Whilst on the subject I have quite a lot of other data to enter into the Wiki when I am home, such as my Kiev 35mm rangefinders and other cameras. After all I wouldn't want people to think that I am too biased towards the Fed-1 would I!
Best regards, Jim

Thank you Jim!

Well I meant my FED-1d #115347, not c.. I always mix them up.. sorry, I'm still an amateur .. well closest we got it FED-S #115732 from Sovietcamera store ... This is the "other side" as you say but whole 400 units apart though... Now we need to find something in between Unfortunately we had no known serial #s section for FED-1d so start exploring this particular block of serial #s, so if everyone kindly put your 1d cameras in the Wiki that would be great, I already listed mine.

Vlad

And I think everyone is biased either towards FED-1 or Kiev II and III because these 2 got the most richest history behind them shrouded in mystery out of all other cameras.. so as far as collectors are concerned these 3 cameras are the pivoting point of all Soviet photographic history. These will be talked of the most in my opinion besides the enigma of TSVVS .

Vlad

Vlad,
Of course you are right. Although there are many other very important and historic Soviet cameras such as the "Sport", possibly the worlds first SLR, and other important cameras.
For me the Fed-1 is interesting from many different angles. The fascinating history of Fed is a subject in it's own right, and of course the Fed-1 gave birth to other cameras, the Zorki, Zenith-C, (and in partnership with Kiev) the TSVVS, etc.
The Kiev/Contax is also historically very important, and I know from my own experience that this was a firm favourite among many professional photographers in the FSU.
In fact I have an old Kiev 111 that must have had thousands of rolls of film put through it during it's lifetime. This camera is extremely worn and brassy, yet still works perfectly and seems to have developted a character of it's own. For some reason this camera feels nicer in the hands than even a mint camera.
Regards, Jim.