Argus C Series Camera Survey Results

Copyright 1998-2008 by Phillip G. Sterritt

Last updated 12/2/2008.

The following is a 'living document' of observations about Argus C series cameras (C / C-2 / C-3 / Match-Matic) and their attributes. I would hope that those reading this would check these against any cameras they own and report any discrepancies, fill in the holes, etc. I can be contacted via the link below for questions or comments.

The easiest way to enter information for a reasonable number of cameras is the online survey, created by Bob & Jeff Kelly, on the 'Argus C Series Cameras Survey' link on the Argus Collectors Group website .

We have over 4,400 cameras in the database now, largely due to the steady flow of information from the website survey. Organized by serial number, the cameras have exhibited generally consistent patterns in the progression of various features, as reflected in the following summary of 'feature milestones'.

• Prewar Cameras
• Postwar Feature Evolution
• Estimated Production Figures
• Rarities
• Anomalies
• The "Golden Shield" Match-Matic
• An interesting Argus Tech Bulletin

• Data by Serial Number:
  • Prewar serial number ranges
  • Postwar serial number ranges
  • Features:
    • Shutter speeds
    • Lens apertures
    • Lens labeling
    • What is on the back door
    • C-2 Shutter releases
    • Shutter Cocking lever
    • Rangefinder tint
    • Raised "Argus" logo on faceplate
    • Film counter dial
    • Back hinge screws
    • Accessory shoes

Prewar Cameras

Shutter speeds

All model Cs were made with 10 marked shutter speeds, ranging from 1/5 to 1/300 second. The first Cs had a two-range shutter speed dial with a 'F-S' (fast/slow) switch below the shutter cocking lever to choose the range and two concentric ranges of speeds (five fast, five slow) on the shutter speed dial. The design was reportedly troublesome and was changed early in the line to one with all 10 speeds in a single ring and no 'F-S' switch.

A memo from IRC to its dealers from early 1938 states that the first batch of 1,000 model Cs were shipped to dealers 'to get the dealer reaction', asking the dealers not to sell them. The memo lists the new shutter design as being incorporated into 'further regular production'. Survey data suggest that between 1,500 and 2,000 cameras with the 'F-S' switch were made. In any case, they are quite difficult to find.

The first C-2s and C-3s had the same 10 marked speeds as the later model C. Both were subsequently changed to have 7 marked speeds from 1/10 through 1/300 second.

Serial numbers

Serial numbers themselves 'evolved' in this period -- both the C-2 and C-3 had two 'types' of serial number and probably switched 'types' at the same time. The first type of C-2 serial numbers continue the design and follow sequentially the range of C serial numbers.

For C-2s the serial number types are:

• 5 significant digits and 'C' suffix on a glued-in label
• '02' prefix followed by 5 significant digits, stamped into the body below the film plane

For C-3s the serial number types are:

• 'C3' prefix and 5 significant digits on a glued-in label
• '03' prefix followed by 5 (or possibly 6) significant digits, stamped into the body below the film plane.

For both cameras, the ranges expressed by the significant digits of the 'type 1' numbers observed are lower than the ranges of 'type 2' numbers observed.

Over the years, several sources have published ranges of serial numbers for various models of Argus cameras, including these for the prewar C series cameras:

Survey data generally support the ranges for the C and C-2, as well as the starting point for C-3s. However, no prewar C-3 has been reported yet as having a number anywhere near '03690326'. The relatively modest size and production facilities of the company between 1939 and 1942 preclude their having produced enough cameras to account for a serial number this high. '03690326' is probably a typo, possibly intended to be '0390326'.

Lens Apertures and Labeling

There are 3 combinations of apertures and lens labeling seen among the C-2s. Chronologically, they are:

Only a few of the earliest prewar C-3s have been seen with the second combination and the rest have the third combination.

Rangefinders

The Cs originally had rangefinders with no colored window and no lens in the viewing end of the rangefinder window. Later, the bottom rangefinder window had a blue filter added to make its image distinct from the top one. This change may have occurred with the introduction of the C-2 -- almost all C-2s and C-3s reported have colored windows and very few Cs have them. Some Cs, C-2s and C-3s that would be expected to have no tint or a blue colored window, have blue or yellow colored windows. It is likely that Argus added the filters to cameras sent in for rangefinder repair.

A flat lens was also added to the viewing end of the rangefinder window in the prewar period, though this feature is not currently covered in the survey. Another feature not covered is the addition of a small port on the top, with a silver cover with two small holes, to allow rangefinder adjustment without removing the rangefinder. This feature was added pretty early in C series production and cameras without the ports are quite scarce. In fact, many early cameras had their rangefinder assemblies replaced with new ones incorporating the port.

Finish

Mike Reitsma noted that the latest prewar C-2s and C-3s are slightly heavier and have just about all exposed metal surfaces heavily chrome-plated. This may be due to the replacement of aluminum in the body parts with another metal, as aluminum became a strategic metal with the onset of WWII.

Postwar Feature Evolution

It appears that the postwar C-3s' features changed gradually and one at a time for the most part.

The colored rangefinder window changed from a blue tint to a yellow tint. There are instances of cameras in the database with yellow rangefinders before the 'earliest' shown below. It seems possible that with the high reported number of C-3s that required rangefinder adjustment, that Argus may have chosen to replace old blue windows with yellow ones at the time of repair. A survey participant who bought his C-3 in 1950 and returned it for rangefinder repair within a year or so of purchase, stated that his blue window was replaced by a yellow one. Other colors (orange, green, etc) are occasionally reported.

The biggest 'makeover' before the introduction of the Standard C-3 occurred in the mid-900,000 serial number range (possibly in 1954) when they went to 5 shutter speeds (and the 'Colormatic' settings), removed the film reminder dial from the back, added a cassette stabilizer spring inside the back door and changed the flash synch to allow X-synch for electronic flash -- although these changes didn't occur all at once.

Charles Spickard noted another change that occurred somewhat later. The rangefinder had optics added so that the image is magnified approximately one and one-half times -- prior to this the image was lifesize.

Estimated Production Figures

To date, we know of no official production figures from Argus. One Match-Matic advertisement from 1958 states that "over two million" C-3s had been made, while another ad from August 1961 claims 2-1/2 million by that date. Survey data suggest that those numbers are inflated, even if Cs and C-2s are included. There are now enough cameras in the survey database to make some reasonable guesses as to quantities of cameras produced, at least for the more common models.

For all models except the Standard C-3 and Match-Matic, serial numbers appear to progress in an orderly chronological fashion (except for a gap in postwar cameras -- see Anomalies -- estimate adjusted for this gap). Therefore, estimates are based on ranges of serial numbers reported.

Ranges of estimates for the Standard C-3 and Match-Matic are provided. Two methods were used to estimate production. One is based on the number of these cameras reported compared to the number of postwar, pre-Standard C-3 cameras reported and the assumption that a Match-Matic or Standard C-3 is just as likely to be reported (in proportion to their relative numbers) as a postwar, pre-Standard C-3. The other is based on analysis of the times the sequential portion of the serial number 'rolls over' (reaches and passes 99999). The latter method is hampered somewhat by inconsistencies in the sequential portion, especially for Match-Matics.

Rarities

• Two C-2s, both in the mid-4xxxx serial number range and one prewar C-3 have turned up with the rangefinder focusing scale in meters rather than feet. The dial is marked 'MTR.' instead of 'RANGE FINDER'.
• One C-2 was reported with the lens marked 'MINCA CINTAR' instead of 'ARGUS CINTAR'. This has never been verified. An advertisement for a camera store has been found from a 1939 edition of 'Amateur Photographer', a British photography magazine, showing artwork of a 'Minca Model C2' (as well as a 'Minca A2F' and 'Minca Photar meter'), but it doesn't confirm whether the camera is labeled as such. (Argus did make a very different camera called the 'Minca 28', but not until 1947.)
• One C-3 made shortly after WWII has shutter speeds, film counter and the arrows on the winding knobs colored red instead of black. Another prewar C-3 was reported with red arrows on the winding knobs only.

These cameras in all other respects resemble other cameras of their era.

Uncommon cameras in the C series include:

• The earliest Cs, with the 'F-S' shutter speed range switch
• The 'Golden Shield' Match-Matic
• The earliest C-3s with the glued-in-label serial number. The earliest half of these cameras have larger rings around the flash sync holes.
• C-3s dating from around 1950 with serial numbers between roughly 542nnn and 547nnn, with a hidden 'argus' logo or evidence of a ground-off logo (see notes below Raised "Argus" logo on faceplate )
• Mid-1950s C-3s with a badge on top marked 'Donated for School Use by Argus Inc.' They were part of 'School Kits' gven out by Argus to high schools containing two Super 75 cameras and a C-3. These cameras are not modified in any way, other than the badge. Currently, three in survey with serial numbers in 137xxxx range and one 173xxxx.

No other combination of known features appears to be particularly rare in the C series cameras.

Anomalies

A broad range of the earliest postwar cameras have overlaps in features that don't fit neatly into the ordinary chronology of serial numbers. It's starting to look like there were at least two 'batches' made, with serial numbers reset to some starting point below 5 digits. Cameras in the earlier batch have uncoated lenses with f-stops typical of prewar cameras (f/4.5, 6.3, 9, 12.7, 18) and silver cocking levers; those in the later batch have coated lenses with f-stops based on an American Standards Association standard from 1943 (f/4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16) and black cocking levers.

The first postwar C-3s made were produced for one or more government contracts. Argus apparently got dispensation to start production of these cameras before the end of the War and needed to fulfill these contracts before they could begin supplying dealers with cameras for sale to the public. This may account for the apparent multiple batches.

After the early anomalies, the postwar/pre-Standard C-3 serial numbers generally progress in an orderly chronological fashion, with a pretty even distribution across the range. However, there is currently one large gap: No cameras are found in the survey with serial numbers between 1215383 and 1328356.

An undated Argus parts price list sheet notes that two models of "Rangefinder Cap" and "Rear Rangefinder Window" are available, one each of which are "for cameras prior to serial #1314000".

Two cameras have been reported with serial numbers ending in 'T'. The numbers are 629nnnT and 808nnnT. Given the numeric portion of their serial number, both would be expected to be found with 7-speed shutters and no accessory shoe. Both are reported to have 5 speed shutters and later-model accessory shoes. They may have been cameras that were refurbished at the factory and given the latest features.

The "Golden Shield" Match-Matic

The Golden Shield Match-Matic was apparently produced for the Golden Shield Corporation of Great Neck, New York, which was largely owned by Sylvania (which also owned Argus at the time). This company bought products made by other companies, badged them with their name and sold them through jewelry stores and other retail outlets. Other than cosmetics, there is no known difference between the Golden Shield Match-Matics and ordinary Match-Matics.

Thanks to E. Thomas Kraycirik for research that uncovered the story of the Golden Shield.

There are now 52 "Golden Shield" Match-Matics in the database. Their serial numbers all have one of the following patterns:

• 1820372xxx (6)
• 1820373xxx (21)
• 1820374xxx (9)
• 1821374xxx (16)

so if a "Golden Shield" is offered for sale where you can't see it, you may want to ask about the serial number -- if it looks like any of these, it may improve your confidence that you're not chasing another ordinary Match-Matic. NOTE: Ranges of lowest five digits of serial numbers of regular Match-Matics produced in last two quarters of 1960 (first five digits 18203 and 18204) overlap with those for Golden Shields of the period, so when verifying Golden Shields, make sure the first five digits are 18203. This overlap doesn't appear to occur with the 1961 cameras (18213 group).

Based on the "4th digit" code for serial numbers of cameras of the period (see Postwar serial number ranges ), the Golden Shield was made in 1960 and 1961. So far, the lowest 4 digits of all the cameras with serial numbers starting with '182137...' are higher than all the cameras starting with '182037...' and the overall range would suggest 3,000 cameras as a starting point for estimating total production.

If you have any examples of advertising showing the Golden Shield Match-Matic when new, please email me or the group.

An interesting Argus Tech Bulletin

Excerpts from "Argus Technical Service Bulletin No. 10-12 June 1, 1961":

"In the past we have maintained a stock of replacement bodies for all early model C-3 cameras. Our supply is now permanently depleted and we are substituting the Part No. 14869 Body Assembly used for the current model Match-Matic and Standard C-3.

"With the addition of the parts listed below, this body can be used on C-3 cameras with serial number 10001 through 1740000. A special hinge with 4 holes on one half to fit the 14869 body assembly and 5 holes on the other will permit you to use the 5 hole back cover from very early models.

"C-3 cameras with serial numbers lower than 64843 that have not already been converted to the 14905 Gear Train and 14860 Shutter will require a complete updating. The 14869 Body Assembly will not accept the early style gear train."

Data by Serial Number

Prewar serial number ranges

-- 32156C was reported from a reliable source. One anecdote suggests that Argus (or others) would remove the idler gear from C-2s or C-3s upon request for people who didn't like the coupled focusing, so this camera is most likely a modified C-2.

There are now seven C-2s in the database, all having generally similar features, with serial numbers with '00' prefixes and significant digits between 82241 and 83330.

Postwar serial number ranges

The first cameras made when civilian production resumed started with 0nnnn and ranged upwards to somewhere between 50000 and 7nnnn. At some point, serial numbers were apparently reset to 0nnnn and proceeded upward from there to 1740000. Features of these cameras, especially lens labeling and aperture ranges, overlap in ways that make it difficult to determine which cameras were made in what order (See notes about postwar Lens Labeling below). Analysis of prevailing patterns suggests the following feature combination progression:

The earliest cameras have:

• Uncoated lenses marked "f3.5 - 50mm Argus Cintar"
• Aperture range 3.5, 4.5, 6.3, 9, 12.7, 18
• Silver shutter cocking lever

The next cameras have Coated lenses marked "f3.5 - 50mm Argus Cintar"

The next cameras have Black shutter cocking levers

The next cameras have Coated lenses marked "f3.5 - 50mm Argus Coated Cintar"

Finally, they settle in to the pattern observed through 1957:

• Coated lenses marked "f3.5 - 50mm Argus Coated Cintar"
• Aperture range 3.5, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16
• Black shutter cocking lever

An article in the Michigan Photographic Historical Society's publication, "The Photogram", apparently dating from the late 1970s, cites a local source (probably Don Wallace) on the subject of Argus serial numbers of the period. It states that from 1958 through 1964, Argus cameras with ten-digit serial numbers (including all C-3s of the period) have a common coding pattern. The first three digits of the serial number are the model of the camera (182 for Match-Matics, 192 for Standards), the next two digits represent the year quarter and year and the final five digits are the "unique" portion of the serial number.

Survey data and patterns observed in other Argus cameras of the same period support the fourth digit being the year and the fifth being the year quarter. Some survey comments suggest cameras with serial numbers starting with 18283... and 18293... date from the late 1950s. Observed fourth digits range from 8 (1958) through 6 (1966). None have been seen so far with a fourth digit of '7'. Fifth digits are overwhelmingly between one and four. The 'unique' portions of the serial number generally move upward as expected as the years and quarters change.

However, published information states that serial numbers for Match-Matics start from 1821800001. Analysis of the data suggests that the cameras made in the first quarter of 1958 had the first five digits '18218...' (Match-Matics) and '19218...' (C-3 Standards) as the Photogram article suggests. From the second quarter of 1958 on, the cameras switch to the format with year as fourth digit and quarter as fifth digit.

Anomalies do exist in the database, but in small 'batches' that suggest temporary deviations in the serial number coding standard. These kinds of anomalies are seen in ranges of C-3s of prior years as well as in other models. Argus' repair service would convert Match-Matics to Standards and vice versa for a nominal fee, so that could explain instances of cross-model numbers.

-- a few Match-Matics reported starting with '282...', '192...', '184...' and '162...'.

Relative numbers of survey responses suggest that the Match-Matic outsold the Standard C-3 by around two-to-one. (See notes about Estimated Production Figures above)

Features

Shutter Speeds

Lens apertures

C-3 (postwar): This is a very mixed bag in the first 100,000 or so cameras produced after the end of World War II. They start out with the prewar numbers (3.5, 4.5, 6.3, 9, 12.7, 18) but mixed in with these are cameras with the scale they settled in with around 1947 (3.5, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16). This was probably a result of only being able to get small batches of parts at a time due to postwar shortages. See notes about Lens Labeling below.

The earliest camera listed is the one most likely from the first postwar series. Other cameras with lower serial numbers and that scale exist but are probably from the second series.

There are three cameras between 150nnn and 153nnn with aperture scale 3.5, 4.5, 6.3, 9, 12.7, 18, with all other features as expected.

Lens labeling

Labeling is really mixed for the first cameras produced after WWII, possibly due to material shortages causing only small quantities of parts to be produced. Combinations of labeling and apertures through 73329 include:

What is on the back door

C-2 Shutter releases

The Kalart Confidential Dealer Price List of Sept. 1, 1946 lists a synchronizer adapter (presumably to connect to the shutter release) for Argus C and C2 cameras "with Serial No. up to 47,201". This is probably when the change from "Type 1" to "Type 2" occurred, since the "Type 2" shutter releases had a standard cable release thread that wouldn't have required an adapter.

Shutter Cocking lever (postwar C-3)

Rangefinder tint (postwar C-3)

Raised "argus" logo on faceplate (postwar C-3)

-- Some cameras between 542nnn and 545nnn found with a recessed "argus" logo, in the same style and location as the later logo but flush with the metal camera faceplate and hidden under the leatherette. Others found between 546nnn and 547nnn with ground-down areas indicating some kind of logo was obliterated. It apparently took Argus a few tries to get the desired look.

Film counter dial (postwar C-3)

Back hinge screws (postwar C-3)

-- 872158, 873694 also have 10. A replacement hinge with 5 holes on one side and 4 on the other was supplied by Argus to allow older doors on newer bodies (and perhaps vice-versa).

Accessory shoes (postwar C-3)