I have a couple of 2x3 Crowns that I just received date info. on from Gandolf and have a few questions I was hoping someone might be able to help me with:
Question 1. It seems that the one with the higher serial # is older than the one with the lower #. Does anyone know why that is? These 2 cameras are almost exactly the same. The only differences that I know of are one opens via top, while the other is on the side and one (the side-open) appears to have a leather covering while the top-open looks to have the leatherette covering. Question 2. Is it possible that they could have different material as outer covering? Question 3. Why do some open side and some top? Question 4. When did Graflex make that change? Sorry for such a long-winded, run-on post (would insert smilely-face icon here if I knew how to do it).
Thanks very much,
Jeff

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Question 1. It seems that the one with the higher serial # is older than the one with the lower #. Does anyone know why that is?

Answer:As Gandolf has stated in earlier post, serial numbers were alocated in blocks of numbers for a given camera type and then were built as needed based on the demand for that model. Other than getting the numbers crossed in his responce I have no other clue.

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Question 2. Is it possible that they could have different material as outer covering?

Answer: Once manmade materials became available Graflex switched to using them.

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(would insert smilely-face icon here if I knew how to do it).

Responce: Have you ever noticed the Disable check boxes below the post form where you place your questions and answers? Did you say yes? Did you then notice that BBcode, and Smilies are in itilacs which indicates that they are links? Explore.

In my experience, the side button camera would be the newer one, post 1955. The top button model model would be pre 1955 and have the leather covering. Not that my experience is always exactly accurate, mind you.