Thornward Dandy #4

[mightyomega]

So I bought a Thornward Dandy #4 from That Auction Site.
Here's a link to a picture of the camera. http://www.flickr.com/photos/themightyomega/3877683161/

The thing has a standard box camera rotary wedge shutter with the usual "Instant" and "Time" trips. However, on this guy there is a lever with three positions. McKeown's Guide and the seller said that the lever is a focus device.
I opened up the camera to clean, and discovered that the lens is fixed into a solid block of wood behind the stop wheel http://www.flickr.com/photos/themightyomega/3878595558/.

The lever is connected to the shutter mechanism, as can be seen in this picture: http://www.flickr.com/photos/themightyomega/3877797457/.

Can anybody provide information about what the purpose of the lever was? It doesn't really seem to do anything right now.

Thanks!

[ntenny]

Wow, that's quite an artifact there.

In the picture I can't quite tell what the mystery lever is; is it the thing on top with a hook connected to a piece of wire?

-NT

[mightyomega]

Yes, there's a wire between the hook and the shutter.
I would love to find out how to to string it. The shutter fires now, but the lever doesn't do anything. I need to repair some some separation at the joints of the box, and then it will be good to go.
I like musty old hulks of ancient machinery:)

[mightyomega]

I appreciate the help, thanks!

[mightyomega]

DannL, thanks for the comprehensive information. I'll hunt down some linen cord and see if I can get my shutter working right!

[mightyomega]

Well, I replaced the wire with linen thread, and I think it's working right. There appears to be a small difference in speed depending on the position of the lever. 65mm seemed to be about the right length, any shorter and the shutter was too hard to cock, and any longer, and it was too slow.
Thanks again for all the information.