This Mystery Item? Solved.
July 6, 2025
Source: Reddit
I was rummaging through a box of random old stuff in my parents’ attic, and came across something. It was a sturdy little leather case, thick stitching and a strap that looked like it had been through a few lifetimes. It was even stamped “Renwick Cowhide,” which I had never heard of. But, I was curious.
Turns out, it’s a vintage Renwick camera case, and it’s a lot cooler than I thought.
What is this thing?
Upon first inspection, I thought it was a case for binoculars, or some type of old medical kit. The shape was just… odd. Kind of boxy with a rounded front. Then I started to notice the cutouts—cutouts that weren’t random; they were holes that were aligned to something important. After an unchecked google search, and some rabbit holes down retro tech blogs, it finally hit me. This was built for one of those old home movie cameras!
The smaller compartment was for the camera body, and the larger part in the front was for the lens. You could adjust the dials and buttons without taking the camera out because the holes let you do it.
Renwick? Sounds fancy
Renwick was a Canadian leather goods company producing camera cases, likely from the late 1950s to early 70s.
The stitching is thick and uniform. Just smells like history and leather. That strap is still in good shape, decades later!
Camera it was made for? Not entirely sure, but…
I can’t tell you the exact model of camera this case was made for. It looks similar to a case made for the Bell & Howell Filmo Sportster, which is one of those compact 8mm cameras, because the shape/type fit.
But mine? Possible candidates include a Kodak Brownie. A Yashica. What about early Canon or Argus camera models? It’s clear this was made for a specific camera, a specific camera with cutouts and snaps on the flap. They weren’t generic cases; they represented custom built leather armor.
So, when was it made?
This vintage Renwick camera case probably dates to somewhere between 1955 and 1970. That’s when family film-making was hitting its peak—that’s when documenting family birthdays meant threading film and winding a crank.
Leather camera cases like this weren’t just protective gear—they were fashion. People carried gear like this with class.
Why do I want to keep it?
Even though I don’t have the original camera that was designed to fit in here, I want to keep this case. There is something about holding it, the weight of it, and knowing, at one time, it held a machine that recorded family history; maybe it captured Christmas mornings or summer beach vacations.
Plus, it looks awesome on a bookshelf.
If you have one of these cases, keep it! Do some digging; you might just uncover the identical camera. Even if you don’t, a vintage Renwick camera case is a time capsule; it reminds us that making movies once meant an adventure.
And yeah, I’m still kind of obsessed with the smell of leather. Don’t judge.