Would any one help me trace who repainted my black M3 — Serial #1025775

[PharaohArs]

Hey all,

I've got a black paint M3 (serial 1025775) and I'm on a mission to find out who repainted it.

Leica records confirm it's a 1961 chrome single-stroke (batch 1023001–1027800), so definitely a repaint — not original BP.

I've already contacted:
- Kanto Camera — awaiting reply
- Lumière Camera (Takahashi-san) — awaiting reply
- Leica Archives — awaiting reply
- DAG Camera — awaiting reply
- Cameraworks-UK — awaiting reply
- Sherry Krauter — awaiting reply
- YYe Camera — confirmed they didn't do it, no records kept
- Stuart Vu — out of business 15+ years, ruled out
- Shintaro Yaginuma — retired, unreachable
- Malcolm Taylor — need to call

I'll post photos shortly. If anyone recognizes the paint style, knows other refinishers I should contact, or has seen this serial pop up anywhere — I'd really appreciate the help.

This is purely for personal curiosity about my camera's history. Thanks in advance!

 

[splitimageview]

Please post a pic.

You might add Shueido to your list and Enzo Patagonean.

DAG and Sherry are not painters.

I can look up my restoration35.com records later.

 

[PharaohArs]

Please post a pic.

You might add Shueido to your list and Enzo Patagonean.

DAG and Sherry are not painters.

I can look up my restoration35.com records later.

 

[bucs]

Maybe the seal where the “L” used to be would give a clue

 

[splitimageview]

Not one of mine nor do I recognize any signs of who it might have been

 

[Duofold RF]

It may originate from Asia—possibly Vietnam—where a skilled refinisher applied black paint to the Leica. The patina shows signs of artificial sanding, a technique commonly used by some Asian repaint specialists (or enthusiastic owners) to accelerate the desirable “brassed” look by exposing the underlying brass in high-contact areas.

 

[Duofold RF]

Try send him a message

 

[Duofold RF]

another Leica painter based in Hong Kong

 

[Zuiko-logist]

Nice looking camera.

 

[38Deardorff]

there are enough repaints around, i doubt if you'll be able to ascertain who painted yours.....

 

[splitimageview]

I’ve always been curious how the phrase ‘repaint’ came to be the accepted phrasing, when the cameras weren’t painted originally, but were chrome. 😀

 

[38Deardorff]

I’ve always been curious how the phrase ‘repaint’ came to be the accepted phrasing, when the cameras weren’t painted originally, but were chrome. 😀

that's true..... non-original black paint.....

 

[Duofold RF]

I’ve always been curious how the phrase ‘repaint’ came to be the accepted phrasing, when the cameras weren’t painted originally, but were chrome. 😀

Black paint replica, well not exactly replica

 

[38Deardorff]

Black paint replica, well not exactly replica

black paint replicant 😉

 

[Out to Lunch]

Lots of 'repaints' from Asia on eBay, with one very active seller in Thailand.

 

[PharaohArs]

Given up trying to find it. case went cold

 

[Duofold RF]

It’s a semi‑pro paint job—the fake embossed ostrich leather was hand‑cut and doesn’t fit especially well. I sold a few painted cameras years ago (Leica M3, IIIf, Canon 7, Olympus SP, Konica Auto S2), but this one was not my paint work. If the camera runs properly, I’d just shoot with it.

 

[yossi]

I just found that there are quite a few painters in PRC who provide camera repainting at very reasonable prices. Like $300-ish.

Paint quality looks good. This is one example:


Some can do hammertone too.

 

[splitimageview]

This M2 just arrived, drop-shipped from Japan Camera Hunter, purchased by a gentleman in Singapore. Factory-style black coming up.

 

[Duofold RF]

The button‑rewind model was considered the stripped‑down, budget version of the M2—no self‑timer, cheaper, and generally unwanted. Funny how time changes everything. A camera in this condition is best just used as it is. For me, repainting a beat‑up body is a way to remediate and revive a camera in poor shape; re‑plating is far more expensive and difficult than stripping the chrome and nickel, fixing the dents, and giving it a fresh coat of paint.