This is an example of the historic camera Minox Riga, a camera which was the first Minox camera model to be produced commercially. It has a considerable intricate history (Minox Riga model and production, not this one here), and if you are willing to read more on its past, you may find tons of information on the wide web.
This here camera bears the serial number 009952, which makes it a 1941-1942 production, and yes, it is one of those long-discussed (and many times in contradictory terms too) Minox Riga cameras. Reason for this is that the camera was produced under the Soviet’s occupation of Latvia, where (among other Bolshie deeds) they re-started the production of Minox cameras, from what it was available when they confiscated the VEF factory in Riga. Of course, things with the Bolshies are never simple, so the Minox Riga story is also a story of political and military turmoil. I am not one for such stories to tell, but you can read more on this elsewhere.
Note: The camera described here was produced by VEF factory while under Russian occupation, and not modified by them. We know this because the cameras found at the time of occupation, completed, were modified by milling the “Riga” and “Made in Latvia” with their own thing (Made in USSR), and to mask some of the original lettering, other symbols were added by the Russians. This one here is clearly engraved Made in USSR without any sign of modification or similar affection of the original engravings.
Right, let’s have a shufti then.
Minox Riga is the heaviest of the Minox range. Made of milled steel, no surprise here. You know it’s in your pocket or when you hold it in your hand, believe me. But the weight is of the reassuring kind, and in no way, shape or manner uncomfortable. It’s there, and the camera lets you know you can rely on it.
Easily identifiable (to a certain extent) by its: round viewfinder port (eye side) and rectangular frame (front side), the stepped viewfinder prism, lack of flash socket, backplate engravings (but there is an entire encyclopedia to be studied about these), lack of hyperfocal dot, front side engravings on the lens, lack of chain catch port, and of course, by its serial number, which should not go over 20.000 (the serials for Riga stop at around 18.000; if in doubt, check the Minox serial numbers chart).
The lens is a Minostigmat f15/3.5, with a sliding yellow filter (built-in, 2x), and the engraving on the front plate may be either horizontal or diagonally made. The entire camera shines in a, well, steely way, and this is something that the aluminium of the later Minox cameras cannot show.
Not exactly ideal for taking pictures with; the MInostigmat lens is well known as a lesser quality than the later Complan, so if you buy one to be your Minox picture-taking machine, I am afraid you should get a Minox A or B, much better in terms of lens quality. I do use this Riga to take pictures, but not with this one only. Negatives shot with Riga are not always what I am accustomed to see when I process films taken with other Minox cameras.
The case is part of the camera history, so if you have it, that is great. It adds to the value, and it also makes a nice package for you to present and own. If not, there are orphan genuine cases out there to buy, albeit expensive. If not, Luigi in Italy sells replica cases, very nice and almost of the same design as the genuine ones.
And of course there is a matter of the cassette to use in Riga, and this can be any Minox cassette. It does accept the old metal ones, no problems, and also later Minox plastic cassettes.
One more thing to add, which is rather important: the Riga does not have a flash sync socket, and there is no connection with a flash unit. True, there are some Minox Riga cameras with flash sockets, but I am yet to see one in my hand, and I have no idea if that worked or not.
A rather short video here, very briefly about Minox Riga camera: