Ensign 2 1/4B Box Camera

This camera was made by Houghton-Butcher in around 1923. It shoots eight 6x9 frames on 120 film. Its rotary shutter has a single instantaneous speed plus Time mode. There are also three apertures available, selected by a slider above the shutter release. There are two small brilliant viewfinders, one for vertical compositions and one for horizontal. There is also a wire direct vision finder that swings into place and is used at eye-level.  Some versions had a simple meniscus lens and others, like this one had a rapid rectilinear lens. Some also had a card lens cap with a leatherette covering that was attached to the camera with a string. This one has a brown antique leather finish and originally cost 18/6. Probably the oldest box camera in the collection.