Design of the Commando started before WW11, development continued during the war with production models being used by the armed forces. Directly after the war it was made available commercially. These early versions were for 12 exposures on 120 roll-film only and had no leather covering to the front of the rangefinder housing. They were fitted with f3.5 or f4.5 lenses. Some shutters had delayed action.

An improved model was issued in 1946, the first real commercial version, this was now for 12-on or 16-on. A knob was fitted to the top of the film-advance wheel to release the film spool. Later this was removed. Leather covering was added to the front of the rangefinder housing shortly after this model was introduced. Late in its life c.1949 a faster Epsilon shutter with a top speed of 1/300 was fitted.

The most unusual feature of the camera is the means of focusing, where the film plane moves rather than the lens. An automatic frame counter is present but, if used, only gives 11 exposures per roll, there is a catch to engage this feature or use the red window. Accessories include Postar close-up lenses with an attachment for the view-finder giving parallax correction.

It is difficult to understand the rationale for the Commando, the Autorange 220 was in production and offered the same features. Sales ceased around 1950. Possibly the amalgamation of Barnet-Ensign with Ross in 1948 caused a re-assessment of camera models, the Commando was dropped around this time and a few years later Ensign brought out a new series of rangefinder cameras.

The patent is in the name of Houghton-Butcher Mfg. Co. and B.A. Parr.

Models

• Early model, 12 exposures on 120 only, without leather to rangefinder housing, 1945.
• Improved model, 12-on and 16-on, knob on top of film-advance wheel, 1946. Leather added to rangefinder housing after introduction.
• Without knob on film-advance wheel, 1947.
• 1/300 top speed, c.1949.

An advertisement from June 1951 shows Keen, the retailer of this example, to be at a different address in High Wycombe but selling a second-hand Commando for £30.