Guerry Flap Shutter - Antique and Vintage Cameras

Guerry Flap Shutter

Double Flap Model

1880s

Cl. Guerry

Paris

France

Image of Guerry Flap Shutter Double Flap Model

Shutter Type:
Spring and pneumatic powered.

Construction:
Walnut.

Attributes:
2" - 2 ½" opening. Front of lens fitting.

Notes:
The inside is dated 87 on the bulb and carries the retailer's name of Marion.

This was made in a simple single flap version for studio use and a model with two flaps. The two-flap model was made in sizes up to 5" lens diameter. Around 1901 a single flap model was made with electrical contacts to fire a magnesium flash. The shutters were advertised in Britain until around 1914.

To use the shutter the lower flap is pivoted down away from the opening. The shutter is fired by a pneumatic release, this expands a bulb inside the shutter which presses on a lever which raises the top flap against the pull of a spring, as the top flap rises so the arm on the outside of the shutter picks up a cord attached to a wheel, as the cord is lifted the wheel turns which pulls the lower flap up over the opening. When the pneumatic pressure is released the top flap is pulled down by the spring.

A letter in the British Journal of Photography in 1909 notes that M. Guerry was nearly 70 but still making shutters at his home in Paris.

References & Notes:
BJA 1884, p. cxlviii. BJA 1890, p. 845. YBP 1892, p. 13. BJP 19/3/1909, p. 216.

Phoenix

Early 1880s

Stereo Model

Reynolds & Branson

England

Shutter Type:
Combined flap and drop shutter. Drop-plate powered by rubber-band.

Attributes:
Ebonite. Front of lens fitting.

Notes:
The drop-plate is missing. This appears to be a genuine stereo model as the controls are arranged on the outside edge of each shutter.

The 1883 patent by R. Reynolds and F.W. Branson shows a similar shutter except the flap is powered by a coiled spring. When the flap is 5/6 through its movement the drop-plate, previously held by the top of the flap, is allowed to drop. A pin is at the bottom of the shutter to catch and engage the drop-plate and prevent it rebounding. The drop-plate could be held by a screw at the top of the shutter when not in use. The 1884 patent by Branson alone has no spring but employs a weight on a lever to control the flap. Branson went on to patent further developments of the shutter.

References & Notes:
BP 1650/1883. BP 2767/1884. BJA 1884, p. xvii.

Guerry Flap Shutter

Single Flap Model

1880s

Cl. Guerry

Paris

France

Image of Guerry Flap Shutter Single Flap Model

Shutter Type:
Pneumatic powered.

Construction:
Walnut.

Attributes:
4" opening. Front of lens fitting.

Guerry Flap Shutter

Single Flap Model

1880s

Cl. Guerry

Paris

France

Shutter Type:
Pneumatic powered.

Construction:
Walnut.

Attributes:
4" opening. Front of lens fitting.


Company Details:

Reynolds & Branson

Guerry Flap Shutter

Phoenix

Rotary

Unnamed Studio Shutter

Idento Sector

N&G Sector

Lancaster See-Saw

Sands' Patent

Simplex

Nydia

Newman's Patent

Sarjeant

The Adjustable

Single blade Return

Linhof

Le Perpetuel

Ilex

Derval, Vario, Nettar

Victor, Unicum, Argos
Automat, I T B

Regular, Junior
Trichro, Eastman Triple Action

Compound

Compur

Koilos

Ibso

Automat, Ilex, Ilex Acme
Ball Bearing, Kodamatic

Luc, Agilux
T-P Gun Camera

B&L Iris, Goerz Sector, Volute
Pocket Automatic

T-P T&I

T-P Time, Studio, Snap-Shot
T-P Stereo, Extra Rapid

Kershaw Patent

N&G Roller-Blind

Roller-Blind

T-P Focal-Plane

N&G Focal-Plane

Minex

Eye-lid