Leica LTM Mortimer Street Special

[Dralowid]

We talked about this camera several months ago and there was a suggestion that it might be a 'Mortimer Street Special'...I am not so sure about that now...but maybe others would comment?


IMG_1214 by dralowid, on Flickr

What we appear to have is a black IIIa with 'lavatory bowl moulding' (which was only ever on a II) made from a Leica II chassis s/n 90916, the bottom part of the crate is from a Leica III and the top plate s/n 102506 (strange s/n engraving) is from a Leica I converted to II. The range finder has the yellow filter, so I'd assume it came from a II but dioptre adjustment with a small return implies something factory upgraded to a III

So...is it a Mortimer Street special or an assemblage of three cameras to make one?

Michael
(and really this should be in the conversions thread...)

 

[HuubL]

Don't know about Mortimer Street Specials, but the style of the serial number on top is definitely not Leica, neither I, II, or III.

 

[john neal]

Michael,

That is lovely, and so mething of an enigma. I think this is exactly what Roger meant by a Mortimer St special - they had spare parts available (like the top plate) and could rebuild almost anything. Out of interest, is the serial filled with Wood's metal?

 

[Dralowid]

Huubl,

That's the beauty of it, it may not be 'original' Leitz Wetzlar but may be Leitz London...or somewhere else...

John,
I'd never really taken the time to look. Looking now I don't think the s/n is filled with Wood's Metal. On closer inspection it is deeper than the other engraving and probably has a hint of paint or polish in it that is going that very slightly green colour. By comparison it is a little crude.

Interestingly it has an 'open 6' which my typographic training may once have told me is not very UK...dunno, can't remember, all part of the fun.

Whatever, the top plate is in good condition as is the baseplate which is marked open/close and Germany with small tripod mount, big pin etc.

Lugs too....