The Model 605 was part of Bell & Howell's "Sportster" series, manufactured in England from the late 1930s through the 1950s. It was designed for the "Double 8" (also known as Regular 8) format. This format used 16mm film that was run through the camera twice—once to expose one half, then flipped to expose the other half—before being split and spliced into a 50ft reel for projection.

The camera's body is made of heavy cast metal with a distinctive, textured "crackle" finish, as seen in your photos. This makes it feel substantial and durable. A key feature is its revolving turret, which allows you to mount and quickly switch between multiple lenses. Your specific camera is equipped with TTH lenses, including a TAYTAL (0.5 inch f/1.7) and a SERITAL (1.5 inch f/1.9), a high-quality combination that adds significant value and capability.