ERAC PISTOL MINIATURE FILM CAMERA condiction B-C sold on Ebay Oct 14 2012 for 205 GBP
RAC PISTOL CAMERA sub miniature film camera. Rare.
The ERAC Mercury I Supercamera is a pistol-shaped subminiature camera, which also seems to have been known as the ERAC Automatic Pistol Camera, the Coviland Steward ERAC, and the ERAC Merlin. It was made by (or for) the E.R.A.C. Selling Co. Ltd. in England, c.1938, from Bakelite mouldings. It takes 18x18mm frames on an early roll film.
The body is mainly a hollow pistol grip, with a rectangular body housing a Merlin camera, and a trigger operating both the shutter release and the film advance. The Merlin has a single speed shutter containing a fixed-focus f/16 lens. The design was awarded a patent in August 1931.
Reputedly used by US police and other security agencies for covert surveillance.
For further information about this camera see Mr. Buktus’ wonderful web site: http://www.butkus.org
Camera condition:
· Not in working order. The trigger appears to trip the shutter and winds the film on but does not return. Possible weak or missing return spring or general stiffness from lack of use. Signs of recent lubrication.
· In good cosmetic order. Bakelite body in good order without chips or breakage. Some enamel missing from around lens rim. Tarnish to screw head.
Lens optical condition:
· The front surface needs a clean, the rear surface or internal elements cannot be seen.
Roll film no longer available. In view of its age and condition the camera is sold ‘as is’ with no returns.