Thornton Pickard Hythe Camera Gun Mk III, No.3657. Used to practice air gunnery, this Lewis gun shaped camera takes 16 pictures 4.5 x 6cm on 120 roll film on a removable internal carrier, (included). It features a f8 30 cm lens an comes with the original shipping crate (matching number), spare gears, shutter leaves and mirror. (The top-mounted circular magazines were not included with these cameras after WWI). The camera shutter cocks and the trigger releases the side bolt, but the internal shutter does not appear to fire. Signs of light use with slight paint wear. The original shipping crate bears the addressee’s label “J.A. Preston, Esq. c/o Mr. A.R. Baines, 67 Station Parade, Harrogate” and is dated 28.4.1922 The retailer’s label on the camera box bears the inscription “The London Supply Company, 26 Coventry Street, London W1; and at 50-51 High Holborn, WC1”.

Provenance: Bonhams Camera Sale, Knowle, 24 October 2001, Lot No. 287.