The following is a collection of serial numbers for large format lens manufacturers. For the most part, the information has been culled from Wilkinson, Glanfield and Wrights' magisterial Lens Collector's Vade Mecum, a data base available on CD-rom. Other sources of information include web-pages and anonymous information passed down to me through others.

Nov 04, 2017  The factory serial number, 42274, is stamped in small characters along the bottom edge of the right-side eyepiece end hinge lug. A flaming grenade is depicted on the right prism plate which denotes usage by artillery units.

1. BINOCULARS - C.P. GOERZ 6x24 ARMLEE-TRIEDER - SERIAL #401793 (SHOWS WEAR, MISSING FROM SCREW CAP) WITH LEATHER CASE.
2. Aug 19, 2017 On Goerz Serial numbers and dates. (former Goerz Tech.) Lens # 35 1902-1903 170 1903-1905 267 1906-1908 230 1908-1909 334 1911 -1914. Date of CP Goerz Double Anastigmatic (Dagor) Lens. Goerz Optics I. Introduction II. In 1942 the Goerz lenses. “Estimated numbers of serial production of binoculars of Optische Anstalt C.P.GOERZ - Berlin Serial.

There is a real absence of information on large format lenses. Of the contemporary makers, only Schneider has made a great effort to provide information, the other lens makers have been less forthcoming. However Rodenstock serial numbers, the other major European manufacturer, have been posted by Kerry Thalman. There are a few web-pages, both official and unofficial, for other three manufacturers, Congo, Nikon, (Unofficial and Official) and Fuji,(also here). However, serial numbers are, to my knowledge, entirely lacking.

Zeiss no longer makes large format lenses, and consequently has little interest or incentive to provide this information. Goerz, and Ross are long gone, and Voigtländer exists only in name. Taylor, Taylor & Hobson is also gone, although its one time subsidiary, Cooke, has recently returned to the fold, and is now making a 4x5 portrait lens. In any case, none of these companies provides any sort of information regarding the lenses they once made. This page is a modest attempt to provide one form of information, serial number-year correspondences.