The name "Hawk-eye" was a name adopted when the Blair Camera Co. purchased the Boston Camera Company in 1890.  Kodak purchased Blair Camera Co. in 1899, and continued to use this Blair iconic Hawk-eye name for decades to come.  This camera is the No 3 Blair Folding Hawk-eye Model 4, with a strong wooden body and covered with a black pin grade cowhide. These cameras were made, starting in 1890 through 1908. Nowhere does it say Kodak on this camera, Blair only.

     This camera takes 12 pictures on A-118 size film, and originally sold for around $22.00 back then, in 1895.  It was a nice quality camera for the time.  That would translate to $716.00 today.  This camera features the Bausch & Lomb Rapid Rectilinear lens, working at a speed of f/8, and a Hawk-Eye Rotary shutter with settings of 1/100, 1/25, 1/5, 1/2 + 1 second.   It also features a reversible brilliant viewfinder, and 2 tripod sockets.  The camera was easy to use because of its easy erecting shelf and bed.  These were popular, as they were light and small and would fit into the jacket pocket.

     This camera is in very good condition for its age, with little patina, as shown in my many pictures.  The nickel finish around the lens and the lettering is very good. The leather covering is also very good, and tight, as shown.  It does have a couple of tiny places where the leather covering is missing, the largest on the underside of the bed, as shown.

     Mechanically, the camera is also very good. The shutter works perfectly at all speeds, 1/100 sec., 1/25 sec. to 1 second. The red lens is perfect,  The red bellows are just brilliant with absolutely no pin holes. The brass and nickel frame around the bellows is very nice, as shown.  The brilliant viewfinder is good, and the carrying handle looks good.  The lenses are all reasonably clean, inside and out.  With the push of the button on the top with a pen, and the pull of the stand, the folding lens and bellows pull out very easily.  

     If you want to get the back off, open the front lens, and over the lens, at 2 oclock, there is a nickel lever to slide to the right.  This same lever also lets you latch the back on.

     Original patents were granted in 1890 & 1895, as printed on the inside of the back of the camera, as shown in my pictures.  The camera is a larger one, measuring 8 1/2" long when folded up. 

     For being 129 years old, this camera's rare, beautiful condition is not expected.

    Shipping for this camera will be only $9.00, anywhere in the U.S. for 2-4 day Priority mail.

    I ship that, or next day after payment.

    I do combine shipping to save you money on shipping.