Advice on agfa jammed focus please.

[John Roberts]

I have recently been give an agfa billy compur, about 1948 model. All works fine except for apparent usual problem of jammed focus ring. I have managed to move it after applying heat from a hair dryer but it re-freezes on cooling so I guess it needs a really good clean out.

My question is in order to remove the front lens element do I need to remove the focus ring by releasing the three peripheral screws or can I just remove the focus stop post and carry on removing the front lens?
The lens also looks in need of a clean, no fungus but some haze.
All advice welcome and would be really appreciated. I have looked at all available info here but this is a first attempt at repair of this nature.
Regards,
John

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear John,

Focus post should do it BUT mark where the front group comes adrift when you unscrew it (slowly and carefully) as it's probably a multi-start thread (put a mark on the lens group, and a mark on the shutter).

Cheers,

R.

 

[John Roberts]

Thank you Roger. Thought that this may be the case but you never know with these things. Will make a mark and give it a try.
Best wishes,
John