Zeiss Ikon Contessa 35 - Help With Stuck Lens Door?

[titrisol]

Store shutter uncocked and in the slowest possible speed (1s)
I use color indicating silica-gel bags inside the camera to ensure no humidity inside

 

[HanSolex]

The camera is back and works wonderfully. It's slow to use but a lot of fun, very tactile. I am working on a new digitization solution so I haven't scanned any of the negatives yet, but I'll share some soon, I hope.

 

[titrisol]

The man who designed the Contessa - Hubert Nerwin:

https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065345/http://zeisshistorica.org/nerwin.html

Nerwincameras

The only 3 post-war 35mm folders made by Zeiss and designed by Hubert Nerwin
Zeiss Ikon Contina II (524/24) - Contessa (533/24) and Ikonta 35 /Contina (522/24)
The Ikonta35 belonged to my wife's grandfathr, and I just acquired the Contina II (at a not exorbitant price)