I accidentally triggered the date function on my GR1v and now several rolls of film from Venice are spoilt. Is there any way to permanently disable the date function. I am willing to get out a soldering iron, dremel, cold chisel; whatever it takes.
I'm not sure I understand your problem. Cannot you simply disable the date feature (in the same way you enabled it)?
As far as I remember, all "Date" capable GR1 cameras have a dedicated switch for Date imprinting? See the GR1v manual how to disable it. If you lost your GR1v manual, you can get it for example here: http://www.ricohforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=202
How I understand the manual, all you need to do is to keep pressing the Mode button until the Date LCD shows -- -- -- symbols, which means the imprinting is disabled.
I used to think that all Ricoh GR1 series had date functions, then I noticed that my GR1S doesn't. I suppose I'll use that instead.
My problem with the date function is that it's hidden on the side and so I don't notice if it's been accidentally triggered. I never liked date backs and want rid of it.