FED-1 leather case with rare engraved plate??

[Paolo Saccheri]

Hello,

I have this FED-1 hard leather case that has an engraved plate (that I wish to know what it says) and I ask if somebody knows for which reason, for who, or for what kind of particular edition FED-1 camera this special case was produced.
Since I can't find any similar plate on FED cases on the internet I guess it should be rare.

Thank you for the help you will give
Paolo

 

[t6un]

A rough translation:
"To I P Zverev
For a sucsessful fight against criminality
From the head prosecutor of USSR
1. July 1950."

 

[wolves3012]

From the translation above, it's probably rare. Rare and valuable don't mean the same thing, in case (no pun) you were thinking it's worth a lot!

 

[Paolo Saccheri]

t6un
thank you for the translation! so it's not for many persons or for a kind of selected audience or cause but it's a specific plate for one specific person!
Do you think it can be real or a fake?
Someone thinks it could be not original... that it does mean that the plate is real but didn't come out of factory with it, may be...!

 

[Paolo Saccheri]

wolves 3012
yes I know FED cameras doesn't cost so much (compared to leica) so a case would't be such a great value, but in your opinion how much could be its value compared to a normal good conditions one for FED-1?

 

[t6un]

Paolo, I think it's real. But that doesn't mean it came from the factory. The plaque was probably made and added in a jewelry shop at the streetcorner.
These kind of things were popular as retirement gifts, for example. In the case of mr Zverev maybe also as a compensation for returning his Tokarev?
Maybe the plaque is made of silver? Head prosecutor is no joke after all...

 

[Paolo Saccheri]

t6un
the plate has some very little "markings" like the silver objects have but I'll have to investigate with a powerfull enlarging glass to see the details written since it's dirty with a thick patina.

What do you mean with returning his Tokarev?
thanks

 

[dogberryjr]

"Dear I.P.: Thanks for all your help. The purge could never have happened without you. See you at the next one!"

 

[t6un]

Paolo, now that I think of it, it probably wasn't a retirement gift. If it was, the plaque would have mentioned it. As for the generic wording, It could have been a prize for services that were too secret, or just too dirty to mention (see dogberryjr's interpretation).
Or for just catching some thieves or murderers.

As for returning the Tokarev: I suppose most NKVD and police members had to give away their sidearms when they retired, so this FED would have been for them as something to go on shooting with🙂

 

[Paolo Saccheri]

Hello all

another detail... what is it and what does it say?
I only recognize the word Moscow (I think).

The inprint is in the inner side of the bottom part of the case ("touching" the camera back).

thank you

 

[wolves3012]

wolves 3012
yes I know FED cameras doesn't cost so much (compared to leica) so a case would't be such a great value, but in your opinion how much could be its value compared to a normal good conditions one for FED-1?

I'm afraid I have no idea whatever. Unless you can show it's something significant, someone of power etc then it probably adds no value at all. However, I admit I'm speculating!

 

[rinzlerb]

Well, aside from anything else, I think it adds distinction and intrigue to a cool camera. That real value, and I'll give you $10 for it! Who needs more than that?

 

[Dez]

I have a FED 1C FROM 1941, which has an exceptionally good quality leather case. It has the same stag imprint inside it. I have never been sure whether that was a mark of a special run of cameras, or from a particular distributor or store. The leather is fairly heavy but supple, and the stitching very well done. It ranks with the cases from Leitz or Nikon, and is certainly better than any other FSU camera case I have seen.

Cheers,
Dez

 

[Paolo Saccheri]

Dez
I had the same impression when I first saw this case of mine: very well made, very good leather and tanning, very good cosmetic condition after all those years. I never saw other fed cases to tell the difference though...
Can you read what the text under the stag says? Mine is almost impossible and I don't know cirillic letters to guess.
If you have (seen at least) other fed cases you could say if this kind of imprint is common or not and also if that high quality leather is common or not in fed production.
Would you post or send me in pm a photo of your case? I'm curious to see the quality of yours.


Rinzlerb
If we would live in a zen world we would agree for a free exchange of things, unfortunately in this consumistic world we live in it is fairly difficult to act without giving money and things a monetary value as high as possible, or low if you want to buy... (mainly if you have little money to live with)!! ;-))


Thank you all for the support and news you will give me!
Paolo

 

[rfaspen]

My Fed case doesn't have an imprint. My guess is the imprint is the leather shop that produced it/them. My guess (and these are guesses) is that someone could get a higher grade case as a nice accessory for cameras. Possibly as a factory option, or as an aftermarket item, just like today. I know that cameras were a very nice gift to be given in retirement, award for heroism, distinctive service, etc. We have to remember that cameras were more of a special thing at one time. They were a real nice gift with genuine meaning. My guess is that it was very common to personalize the gift with little plaques, engravings, and so on. That was also a common thing to do around this time (I'm talking late 1930s through 1950s).

Ultimately, I doubt the plaque on Paolo's case is terribly special, unless it was given to your grandfather for distinctive service or something like that. Then it means a lot to you. Its also unfortunate that old leather cases are not given particular value among the photo gear market (of course, many are in rotten shape). It might be a very nicely made case, and works wonderfully to protect and carry the camera, but not terribly valuable. So, I'd use it to protect and carry the camera -- and look good while doing that!

If you're looking for a way to add monetary value to a camera-case combo (or just the case), I doubt you'll get much traction. It's possible there's someone out there related to I.P. or collects memorabilia from the special prosecutors ministry, but your chances of connecting with such people and conveying this "extra value" are small. In that case,😱 I'd simply enjoy the case and use it.