The Folding Ruby was Thornton-Pickard's direct competitor to the very successful Sanderson. A number of models were produced of which the No. 3 was the most advanced in its range of movements. Production ceased during World War I.

Models

Original

Introduced in 1906, replaced by the models 1, 2 and 3 the following year. Wide-angle focusing rack. Panoptic shutter. Produced in quarter-plate and 5" x 4" sizes.

No. 1

1907. Basic model of the range. Usually fitted with an f8 Beck Rapid Symmetrical in a Unicum, and from 1909 an Automat shutter. Produced in quarter-plate and 5" x 4" sizes.

No. 2

1907. Superior construction over the No.1 with rack and pinion movement to the rising front. Usual lens was an f7.7 Beck Aplanat in an Automat shutter. Produced in quarter-plate, 5" x 4", postcard and half-plate (1908) sizes.

No. 3

1907. As for the No. 2 but with tilting front and tilt movements to the back, wide-angle focusing rack. Usual lens was an f7.7 Beck Aplanat in an Automat shutter. Produced in quarter-plate, 5" x 4", postcard and half-plate (1908) sizes.

No. 2A

1908. As for No. 2 but with additional focal-plane shutter. Various lenses. Produced in quarter-plate, 5" x 4", postcard and half-plate sizes.

Unit

1909. As for No. 2A but using the 'Unit' focal-plane shutter without a front shutter. Various lenses. Produced in quarter-plate, 5" x 4", postcard and half-plate sizes.

Tropical Unit

1909. Made of polished teak rather than leather covered mahogany. Various lenses. Produced in quarter-plate, 5" x 4", postcard and half-plate sizes.

Universal

c. 1914. Stereo model, possibly using a ruby focal-plane shutter.

Variations

• Revolving back fitted to the No. 3 c. 1909, previously a reversing back was fitted.
• Wide-angle rack added to the No. 2 and 2A c. 1908/09.
• Early models had 'T' levels, later circular.
• Model 2, Automat shutters were fitted from 1909.