US Navy Canon F1 Photo Cameras

Got this today. Case with key, 3 Canon F-1's with lenses plus one big lens and some other accessories. Not sure if the cameras work but they seem to be in good cosmetic condition. Gotta get rid of that black padding because it is all messed up.
Wondering if it's is better to be sold all together or separate?
Thanks

 

It looks like an 80s camera set-up. Beyond that you've got me.

 

The following website talks about military camera kits. It has a pic of the Cannon F-1 saying:
"Canon F1's and AE-1's with US Navy engravings have shown up. Navy lenses usually have hand engraved markings, if any. Like the Nikons and Topcons, they are were usually used very hard.

"In 1975, Canon made a special order of 2500 original F-1's sets in olive green for the US Army. Very very few have turned up for sale, presumably most are still being used."

Scroll to not quite 1/2 way down the page to "Canon"
https://www.cameraquest.com/nikonmil.htm

On the bottom of the Canon section there is a link "See Profile." It goes to another page with pics and info on the Cannon F-1n and the Canon F-1. Some of the info on the 2nd page about the Canon F-1:

"The US Navy has used Canon F1's and AE-1's for a number of years. You will be happy to know that Navy photogs are given special instructions to carefully take care of their equipment, just for the sake of future ownership by a camera collector (ha ha ha ha). The truth is that military photogs are very hard on their equipment, most simply don't care -- they don't have to pay for it after all. The quickest way to spot a fake US military camera is if it's in too nice a condition. "

"...US Navy F1 kits vary widely and there seems to be no standard kit."

"While US Navy Nikon cameras and lenses are rare and high priced, US Navy Canon equipment usually sells for a very small premium above usual used prices. I have no estimated production or contract figures, but I do know from experience Canons are the easiest to find US Navy cameras."

https://www.cameraquest.com/cf1mil.htm

--- Susan

 

Separating them deprives 2 of the cameras of the provenance the case and extras bring to the table.

 

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/canonf1n/USnavy/index.htm

I'd sell them as routine Canon F-1s, mentioning the provenance. Finding a specialist collector wanting the lot at a premium is a lot harder than finding F-1 buyers for the bodies and lenses.

They do have the individual markings so splitting them will not affect the provenance.

If you got the lot for $300 or less you should do alright.

 

Mentioning the provenance is a poor substitute for having the marked case , extra lenses....& other extras included.
You're not just looking for camera buyers , but military buyers as well.....or even more so.
The military collector would be thrilled by the whole kit & kaboodle !

Or so I would think....

 

No harm running it as a kit and splitting it if no takers.

 

Sounds reasonable......& if it's split up....split everything....bodies, lenses , extras....even the case can be re-purposed !

 

Thanks for the replies.
I think it is a good idea to sell it as a kit but who will want 3 cameras of the same brand and model?
Maybe sell one camera with the case and everything else together and the other two cameras separately?
Also, selling it all together will target only buyers who are willing to spend more?
By the way, only two of the cameras are marked US Navy, the third has no stamps.
What can I used instead of that black foamy padding? I definatelly have to get rid of it because it is broken in little pieces?

 

New black foamy padding, any camera shop should have it, as it is still used for the interiors of hard cases.

 

Again....you're focusing on the caneras and not the Navy history.
If one has no markings ....fine just sell the body.......but there's got to be a ton of em out there..