Voigtländer made a series of folding Bessa cameras from 1929 to 1956. The first ones, from 1929, only had a “brilliant” viewfinder- the little square finder on the shutter. This one has a folding viewfinder as well, which makes it easier to use. This feature was first added in 1930. The serial number stamped on this camera dates it to 1933. This one has the better 6.3 Voigtar lens. These were also sold with the 7.7 Voigtar.

This early folding Voigtländer Bessa camera was non-functional when it arrived. I bought it because the condition is not pristine. Using any camera, even very carefully, subjects it to some level of wear and tear. I prefer to use cameras that already show visible signs of age and use, and this fits that description. I had to put a lot of time in to get the lens clean and focusing properly. Now the shutter is working perfectly, even the self-timer. And I like the results. Certainly worth the effort.