Camera used in Victorian Times

[L Verge]

One of the first years Surratt House was open to the public, we had a member who displayed his collection of 19th-century cameras and sample photos. It was very interesting. I recently had someone tell me there was a hand-held camera in 1865. They called it a "pistol camera." I did find reference to such a thing, but not a detailed description. Anyone ever heard of it?

I agree with Scott about the folks at the Center for Civil War Photography. The head man, Bob Zeller, is very nice to work with. Alas, he had never heard of a pistol camera and had his doubts.