Original German WWII Luftwaffe Aerial Camera Handkammer Hk 12.5cm in Transit Chest with Lens Filters Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of the large format Handkammer Hk 12,5/7×9, still in its original wooden transit, which measures approximately 13 5/8″W x 12″H x 10″D. It is marked correctly on the top with the contents and Luftwaffe stock number:

Hk. 12,5 / 7×9

Fl. 38004

The case is in very good shape, with mostly intact paint, showing a lovely patina of age. The only real discrepancy is the top handle missing the leather padding, so it is just a steel strip now.

The camera itself was manufactured by Fritz Völk (military code: “gxn“) in Berlin, the only known maker of this camera, and also most likely the only military item they made for the war. The Handkammer Hk 12,5 / 7×9 was used by the German Luftwaffe for reconnaissance photos during WWII. It was the forerunner of the Hasselblad and the first handheld camera which had an interchangeable magazine. The lens is a Schneider-Göttingen Xenon 1:2 f=12,5cm. This camera was similar to the “Reihenbildner” camera (“Rb 20/30”, “Rb 50/30 and “Rb 75/30”, military code: “nze”) which was a motorized stationary camera used in airplanes.

This example is in very good condition and is complete with both the amber and red filters by Schneider, lens cover, and a wonderful brown bakelite grip. It also still has the original leather hand strap around the top. There is some oxidation and paint flaking, on the camera housing, but overall it presents very nicely, and has a fully legible data plate.

A very nice example of a German WWII Reconnaissance camera, ready to research and display!