According toBrian Coe, Author of “Kodak The First Hundred Years” and Curator of the KodakMuseum from 1969 to 1985, the Koilos Iris Diaphragm shutter with Goerz DagorF:6.8 Series III No.2 Focus 7 In. No. 227851 was offered by Kodak for the UKmarket only. The size plate/film covered at F-6.8 was 4 ¾” X 6 ½”. This shutter/No.2 lens combination was available by Kodak from 1908 to 1910 only for the No. 4AFolding Kodak (4 ¼” X 6 1/2” picture) and No.3A Folding Pocket Kodak (3 ¼” X 5½”). This shutter/lens combination was offered for the No. 3 Folding PocketKodak but would have used the less costly No. 0 lens with 4 ¾” Equiv. Focus at$37.50 that covers the 3 ¼” X 4 ¼” picture size. The No. 1 lens with 6” Equiv.Focus for 4” X 5” was available for the No. 4 Folding Pocket Kodak and wouldhave used the No. 1 priced more cost effectively than the No. 2. Note thelisted shutter/lens combination covers 4” x 5” and is mounted on a view cameralensboard with 2.3” wide and 2.45” high opening. Note the serial # of the frontand rear elements match.

The CarlPaul Goerz Company was founded in 1886 by Carl Goerz (1854-1923), a salesmanwho once had been in apprentiseship at Emil Busch in Rathenow and later waspartner of Eugen Kraus in Paris. Originally Goerz sold mathematical tools forschools. By taking over F. A Hintze’sworkshop in 1888, his company became a camera maker formed Optische Anstat C.P.Goerz in 1890 based in Berlin. He employed engineer Carl Moser and opticianKarl Hertel to start the development of lenses. Goerz is known primarily forAnschutz cameras and Doppel-Anastigmat, Syntor, Pantar and the legendary Dagorcamera lenses. Other products were meteorological and aeronautical instruments,binoculars, guns scopes and the Sector shutter. In 1903 it found a departmentfor cannon military optics which became the world’s largest military opticsmaker. In 1895, Goerz found a branch in New York that started production in1902 and was to become the C. P. Goerz American Optical Co. in 1905. In 1926Goerz merged with three other German camera makers including Contessa-Nettal,Ernamann Werke and ICA to form Zeiss Ikon A.G.

The KansasCity Photographic Supply Co. circa 1907 catalog states this Goerz DoubleAnastigmat - Dagor – Series III Speed F-6.8 is a universal extra rapid lens forportraits, groups, instantaneous photography, landscapes, architecture,interiors and enlargements. It goes on to say although only a few years havepassed since the new lenses first entered into public competition, they haveattained the foremost position in all parts of the globe and have been declaredto be the most perfect of modern lenses. The anastigmatism is completelycorrected, the result being that, even with full aperture, the image is assharp at the edge as it is in the center. It uses a symmetrical arrangement ofthe two Double Anastigmat members. The back lens, the focus of which is aboutdouble the entire objective, maybe used as a landscape lens. The lenses in thislisting are clean and clear with no separation, crazing, etc. (See photo fromthe circa 1907 Kansas Photograph Supply Co. Catalog for specifications on theGoerz Dagor lenses.)

Alfred Gauthier, a mechanic, founded the AlfredGauthier company in Calmbach Germany in 1902. After extensive development, thethree blade diaphragm friction brake Koilos shutter was introduced around 1904.This version has a pneumatic release on the right front of the shutter. In1906, they introduced an air brake, three blade model with the pneumatic releaseinside the case, a cable release socket and the delay cylinder placedhorizontally along the top. The bright aluminum case with worm lines offered 7speeds from 1 to 1/300th second, plus B and T. Aperture settingsrange from 2.8 to 128. This shutter looksfine and works in all I, B and T settings using the finger release but has notbeen timed. To set the shutter you pull down on the lever in the upper right untilit locks and release with the finger lever at the lower left. It has not beentested using the cable or pneumatic release.

Great early20th century display or working shutter/lens for your UK Kodak 4A FK,3A FPK or 4 X 5 view camera. Shipping cost will be based on packaged size,weight, location, method and insurance.