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RARE WWII JAPANESE "ULTRA SMALL AERIAL CAMERA"

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:150.00 USD Estimated At:300.00 - 1,000.00 USD
RARE WWII JAPANESE  ULTRA SMALL AERIAL CAMERA
(GSK-99) BY KONISHIROKU. S# 1047. Approx. 2,500 of these cameras were produced by 2 different companies over the 5 year span of the Pacific war. They were issued to fighter pilots & others to record their kills. They had interchangeable backs for rapid reloading w/ 120 film. A spring loaded winder on bottom allowed for auto winding at each press of the shutter. This camera in gray crackle finish enamel has reddish lacquered wooden handles & view finder on removable unit, allowing camera to be mounted in aircraft w/out handles. Camera is fitted w/ ROKUOH Hexar 1:3.5 75mm lens. A white bakelite plate is on back along w/ GSK-99 metal tag, S# 1047. CONDITION: good, somewhat soiled w/ a number of sm. chips in lacquer finish. Camera operates, optics a bit cloudy. Other marking plates at bottom right front of camera & at top have been removed & holes painted over w/ silver lacquer. These cameras seldom come on the market as most went to the bottom of the Pacific along w/ their A6M2 (Zero) fighter planes. (02-14146/MGM32). $300-1,000.