W. Butcher & Sons from 1903 -1930. There were many different
versions of this camera, this one used 122 Roll film and could adapt
to accept plate film to make 3 X 5 postcard photos.
W. Butcher & Sons Carbine. Up to the advent of the Great War* Butchers imported German made cameras but this arrangement became somewhat inconvenient thereafter, and they teamed up with Houghtons as manufacturer to form The Houghton-Butcher Manufacturing Co.Ltd, finally merging in 1926. By 1930 they sold cameras under the Ensign name. There is frequently no mention of Butcher on the pre Houghton-Butcher arrangement cameras.
The Living Image vintage camera museum http://licm.org.uk
The Carbine line had many models over the years #0,2,3a,3b,4,5,6,7, and 12, each has different lenses,
methods of pulling the lens assembly out, moving the lens up and down and sizes of plate film it could use.
The camera does not have any visible model number markings in any of the places others are marked other
than the "Carbine" Logo on the side and a "B" film winder (which makes me think it was pre-Houghton)
and serial number D 52097. From the research I have done I think this is a model #3a or 3b - 31/2 X 51/2
postcard size plate made around 1914-15.
This camera shutter has the name "Lukos" I on it, it has shutter control for Bulb and Timed release. It's an
American manufactured shutter. The lens (front glass missing) has apture settings of F11,18,22,32 and F45
can be changed by moving the arrow/lever on the bottom. The lens raises and lowers on the chrome fork or standard and moves forward and backwards to adjust focus. There is a brilliant viewfinder that pivots for
horizontal and vertical shooting. Also I can't find a foot for horizontal shooting they are usually on the
front of the baseboard.
"Carbine" button on the side of the body. The manual goes on to explain how to load film, how to develop the
film and even take pictures.
The camera has a dual back that accepts either 122 format film or a plate back. With the back off we can
see the recesses for the Roll Film, top and bottom and the middle area for the Plate Film. The middle part of
the removable back pulls up an out and your plate film slides in its place.