1937 Merlin united "Spy cam"

[belgiumreporter]

i've had this little "spy" cam for some time now, never gave it much attention. Because there are no markings on it what so ever i didn't know what to search for should i wanted to find it's origins.

But now i've got this rather usefull app on my cell phone called "google lens" just take a picture of anything you can think of and google lens will tell you what it is! So i took a shot of this tiny camera and it was immediatly recognised as a Merlin United Optical Merlin Subminiature Spy Camera British SOE WW2.

Wow! so now i know just what i've got :-) turns out these cameras are rather expensive, i saw prices ranging from 99 to 400€ on different sites. The Merlin was reportedly used by British Intelligence - hence it's alledged collectors value. Anyway it seems to be bullit proof as it is made out of cast iron with a black crinkle finish and weighs 109 gramms. It uses 20x20mm roll film producing 18x18mm negatives.

There's no controls, lens is fix focus, fixed aperture, one shutter speed. 

The "Merlin:



The back slides off to place the film



Next to a "normal" camera

[antonio]

You should get some film and try it out