KODAK BULLET No. 2
1898


When George Eastman recognized the value of the Boston Camera Mfg. Company's Bull's-Eye he opted to copy the design and offer it illegally under the name "Bullet". Once he bought out the Boston Company in August 1895, he took ownership of the Bull's-Eye trade name and proceeded to use it, while continuing to also market cameras under the Bullet name. (Later Bullets were configured to use both film and glass plates.)

Both the Bull's-Eye and Bullet cameras were sold in a 'standard' configuration, but also as a more expensive "Special." The difference was that the Specials had superior lenses, shutters, and apertures.


This is the standard version, with a meniscus lens and rotary shutter. What set the Bullet cameras, both standard and special, apart from the Bull's-Eye was that it could use either roll film or glass plates. An internal wooden block, with red window for use with film, could be removed and a plate holder inserted through a door on the side.


This camera features a celluloid simulated ivory dealer plate on the front, reading “Bought at W. Schiller & Co., 7 S. Broadway, St. Louis, Mo.” The original price was $8. Approximately 30,000 were made, up to 1902.

(Kodak would return to the Bullet name in the 1930s.)


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