During the brief production life of the model C, there appeared two two variants: The first model (not shown) was produced for a very short time early in 1938 and had a switch located on the front panel below the shutter cocking arm. This was accompanied by an early shutter speed dial that had 10 speeds in two tiers, one for 1/5, 1/10, 1/20, 1/30, and 1/50 sec, and the other for fast speeds 1/75, 1/100, 1/150, 1/200, and 1/300 sec. After a month or so a second variant appeared which did not have the switch and the 10 speeds were engraved in a single tier. (For a complete list of Argus C model variations see The Argus Collectors Group site.
Two Model C examples are shown to the right. They have serial numbers 7397 and 8449. Both have uncoupled rangefinders with 3.5 minimum distance (later reduced to 3), a solid cylindrical cap shutter release button, a rather crowded 10 speed shutter dial, and the early Argus f/3.5 50mm lens. Note that the dial faces on early C models have an off-white coating.
These early models had rather dull metal body trim of cast aluminum that soon changed to a die cast frame with bright polished chrome plating after a couple months production. The lenses on the two examples shown here predate the creation of the Cintar brand name which was subsequently used by Argus in many camera models through the next three decades.
It may not be widely known that these early lenses were made for Argus by Bausch & Lomb (cf. Lahue and Bailey) and are presumably of higher quality than those produced by Ilex and Graf Optical Company later in 1938-39. However, early lenses produced serious vignetting which was soon corrected. In 1939, Argus acquired Graf and began producing their own lenses, the Cintar and Argus Anastigmat, all of which were good to excellent performers.
Photographers over the years liked to have the shutter cocking lever rotated 90 degrees in order to avoid having it bump their fingers when the shutter was fired. Also, many of these early cameras may have sticky or inoperable shutters. If one is inclined to take a bit of risk, the shutter mechanism can be reached by carefully pealing back the front leatherette to reveal the screws that hold on the front of the camera body (do it slowly because it's not easy to replace the paper-like leatherette since the later C2 and C3 have a hole for the RF coupling gear). For the best simple guide to servicing a C3, see Rick Oleson's site. I would also recommend posting a question Argus Collectors Group site. The members are knowledgeable and responsive.
