Graflex, Graphic and Graflok Backs

[dave61]

Seems there's confusion as Re: what fits and what is what for Graphic press cameras (Top-Handle [1912-'27], Pre-Anniversary [1928-'39], Miniature Speed Graphic [1938-'46], Anniversary Speed Graphic [1940-'46], Pacemaker Series Speed, Crown and Century 23 Graphic [1947-1973], Super Graphic [1958-'73] and Super Speed Graphic [1961-'70]).
Here's some pictures that may help:

Cam Phone Pix0264.jpg- Graflok back on Century Graphic 23. Note upper and lower slide-lock bars. Also note TWO RAISED RIDGES on face of roll-film holder (foreground) which index to GROOVES on camera back to locate accessories.

Cam Phone Pix0271.jpg- Graflex back roll-film holder showing the two parts- HOUSING/BACK in foreground and behind it on right, the matching film INSERT. In background is Graflex G.G. panel for Graflex back-needed if you want to go view-camera style, with tripod and hood.

Cam Phone Pix0271.jpg- Anniversary Speed Graphic with Graflex back-note single upper slide-bar lock, lower fixed bar, single slot in face of roll-film holder to accept raised brass plate which indexes attachments onto camera back.

 

[johannielscom]

Oh dear, seems like possibly one out of two correct and maybe even neither of them...

Item one, Speed Anniversary 3.25x4.25 camera, said to have Gralfex back:

and item two, 23 Graflex roll film holder:

Somehow, the back seems less wide than the one you posted for the Speed Anniversary, Dave.

Former owner has sold it for quite an acceptable price and had it fixed to his Baby Speed Graphic by means of some tinkered up construction. I might have to do the same, right?

 

[johannielscom]

Yup,

seems my 23 roll film holder is a model for the Century Graphic with a Graflok back.

I was hoping for this one:

which is a 23 roll film holder on a Speed Anniversary.

Seems adapting a regular 23 roll film back for a Speed Anniversary isn't all that easy.

 

[Steve M.]

Your second large photo appears to be of a Graphic roll holder. A Graphic roll holder will fit a Crown or Speed Graphic w/ a Graflok or spring back. Singer made roll holders that are marked Graflex, but they will not fit a Graflex SLR nor anything w/ a Graflex back, they fit the Crown or Speed Graphics. If it has a single groove, or what appears to be no groove, it fits a Graflex back like the last small thumbnail photo on the right, or a Graflex SLR like an RB or a Series D. If it has a double groove it fits a Graflok or spring back.

It's impossible to figure this stuff out w/o going to the www.graflex.org site. Then it becomes clear. Sort of.