There was a small cluster in the production of Argus Model A cameras, prewar, late 1930s or 1940, that was built with an uncommon style of shutter release lever. These levers had a small round ornate knob attached with a slot headed screw, unlike the typical lever, which simply had a 90 degree bend in the end of the metal of the lever.
So far it seems that all examples in this variation came with the four speed shutter (25, 50, 100, 200) plus B and T... double sprocket gray colored shaft internally... lens is uncoated, f:4.5, 50mm anastigmat... pop-out lens barrel with two position focusing.
I won this example, number 198801 (serial number is within entire production run of Argus Model A), at auction recently. It needed extensive cleaning, restoration, and repair. I thought it cleaned up pretty nicely.
This past weekend we were having a little thaw here in Eastern Missouri. Saturday turned beautiful. I loaded this old Argus with a roll of Walgreens Studio 35 ASA 200 print film and headed for the old section of Cedar Hill, Missouri, to try some new portraits of the old mill (said to be the latest operating water-driven grist mill in the state of Missouri when it ceased running) and Big River.
I think the camera performed remarkably well, for a 70 year old piece of history! This is no toy camera, by any stretch.

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All images are ©2008 E.J.Kowalski.