Burke & James Press Camera

This huge Press Camera, manufactured by Burke & James incorporated in Chicago Ill. U.S.A. is called the "Speed Press 4x5".
At the first glance, it is a look a like of the famous Graflex cameras.

This Burke & James Camera came with the Kalart range finder and the Kodak Flash Supermatic shutter just like the "side mounted" Graflex cameras.

You'll notice some differences that distinguish between the one and the other.
Its name also might suggest that it has a focal plane shutter like the Speed Graphic, but it hasn't .
Its revolving back is definitely an advantage comparing  to the Speed Graphic and the shining aluminium dropbed is a typical design in the fifties from the last 20th century.
Its simple but reliable cam connection between focusing track and Kalart rangefinder works fine and accurate.
The tubular viewfinder has a name impressed which reads "Watson". You'll find this name on more Burke & James products and it might interest you why. 
To learn more about the humoristic story about the "Watson" brand name by Prof H. Lynn Jones.
I was surprised to read that in the advertisement on page 3, that my Burke & James originally was equipped with a rotating or revolving back.
Yes, I did noticed the ratchet  on the left corner of the housing and I tried to understand what was the good of it and yes I did try to turn the back, but nothing moved.
Now convinced  there must be a revolving back, I dismounted the back and found out that the former owner, I presume, glued  the back to the body for some reason.
The ratchet is obviously the lock of the revolving back.