“Y” in top screw for lens mount

[d.dulin]

Instead of the original “L” that would occupy the top screw hole on the lens mount of a M camera, the one I just purchased seems to contain a “Y”. The camera is located in the USA and the best I can guess is that it would likely serviced by Youxin Ye? Can anyone confirm that this is his “mark”?

Side note the camera appears to be in BEAUTIFUL condition and I will post photos of it when it arrives.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Found a list online, and ‘Y’ is Leitz NY (at least according to the list I found).

 

[splitimageview]

Youxin doesn’t use a special seal to my knowledge, he never has on the cameras I’ve sent him.

https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1104576&postcount=43

 

[d.dulin]

Vince could you direct me to the source you found that on? If that’s the case then the camera is probably is pretty good order for quite a while.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Vince could you direct me to the source you found that on? If that’s the case then the camera is probably is pretty good order for quite a while.

It's within this thread -- post #8: https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/46697-l-sealed-means-what/

Here again, I'm just taking it at face value, so you may want to track down a more authoritative source than this. However, the info in that post is supposedly taken from the book '25 Jahre Leica Historica'.

 

[leicapixie]

Vince correct. Only done I think long ago..
My LM3 when final assembly, missing parts, sigh, had letter "J".
"J" for Johannesburg, South Africa.Yes!
We also had a Kodachrome processing plant..:bang:

 

[d.dulin]

I found similar info on this forum citing the same source. Maybe Don or Sherry would be able to shed more professional opinions on it.

 

[splitimageview]

Assuming it's a legit "Y" seal this likely means the camera was last serviced at Leitz New York; so long ago that it probably needs a checkup...

There are techs that will replace script "L" seals, but I've never heard of a tech using a "Y" seal.