A Real Luftwaffen iiic-K?

[Chemophilic]

I came across a gentleman selling his late mother's camera on Craigslist just now. He isn't sure what he is selling, but it seems to be a military Leica with the ball bearing upgrade. I think this is a real deal so I told him I would help him verify the authenticity... because if it's real, I think this worths way more than what I can offer to him!

Mechanically the camera definitely needs some CLA, VF looks a bit unclear, and the lens (an Elmar that also bear the marking of Luftwaffe-eigentum) have a bit of dust and maybe some haze too. But cosmetically this camera seems to be in really good shape. It even comes with a Luftwaffen-eigentum leather case, plus a Gossen light meter, and even the box. The camera could even come from someone in his family who served in the air force around WW2 time. All these tell me it's a real thing. What do you think this worth?

 

[chrishayton]

Looks real. Nice condition too. £1500-3000 depending how how nice it actually is. Nows your chance to own something lovely at a great price

 

[Chemophilic]

Ha thanks. No this is way beyond what I can afford, and I am a user not a collector. Hate to see him getting ripped off though. He told me some people argued with him that this worths only 100-150 based on eBay prices!

 

[Erik van Straten]

The camera looks almost too nice to be 70+ years old. I would like to hear the comment of Leica Tom.

Erik.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

I don't know what it's worth but if this thread becomes popular it should improve the quality of the fakes...

Regards, David

 

[oltimer]

Looks real. Nice condition too. £1500-3000 depending how how nice it actually is. Nows your chance to own something lovely at a great price

I agree with you on your figure, if the paint "is original" and not redone. I've heard stories before were granny or grandpa were the only owners after the German's; but to find out otherwise later.

 

[Solinar]

It surely is a stepper IIIc - but the paint! There is not a rub mark anywhere.

 

[burninfilm]

It's hard to tell in the pictures provided how "legit" it may be. It certainly looks nice, and looks to be engraved correctly. If all original, it would have to be one of the absolute nicest gray-painted IIIcK Leicas I have ever seen.

Out of curiosity, what was the owner's asking price?

 

[Dralowid]

The camera looks almost too nice to be 70+ years old. I would like to hear the comment of Leica Tom.

Erik.

I agree. I haven't checked the numbers but the condition is almost too good to be true

Michael

 

[Chemophilic]

Out of curiosity, what was the owner's asking price?

Well the owner wasn't sure so I explained to him a bit about what I think it is. He was open to people's offer. Some people argued with him that it worths at most $100-150 base on eBay prices. I made a higher offer but realize that any offer I could offer would be a rip off to him...

 

[Filzkoeter]

Serial number seems to be legit from my quick search. It's in the range of grey paint IIIcK

Here are the collectiblend prices: http://collectiblend.com/Cameras/Leitz/Leica-IIIc-K-Luftwaffen-Eigentum-grey.html

It states: (with lens) from 9000 - 24000$ 😉

 

[Chemophilic]

I agree. I haven't checked the numbers but the condition is almost too good to be true

Michael

I agree as well. The paint is really nice. But then the gentleman told me this was largely not used so I could why that is.

 

[ray*j*gun]

Yes we should hear from Tom on this. I don't think the pics are big enough to tell but it looks too too clean and the cover doesnt look like vulcanite. Again Tom will have a better idea.

 

[Filzkoeter]

Comparing pictures of authentical grey IIIc Leicas the covering seems legit.
Does it have a "K" stamp on the shutter curtain?


<Please send James Lager's address by email or PM>

or contact the International Leica Society! http://lhsa.org

They propably can verify if this camera is legit.

 

[Ronald M]

Comparing pictures of authentical grey IIIc Leicas the covering seems legit.
Does it have a "K" stamp on the shutter curtain?


Edit: try to contact James L. Lager:

<edit as above>

or contact the International Leica Society! http://lhsa.org

The K needs to be there.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Looks real. And why not? I bought one in similar condition 30-odd years ago. This one needs only to have been in the back of a drawer 30-odd years longer: far from impossible.

And thanks for being a decent human being and alerting him to what it's probably worth.

Cheers,

R.

 

[oltimer]

Looks real. And why not? I bought one in similar condition 30-odd years ago. This one needs only to have been in the back of a drawer 30-odd years longer: far from impossible.

And thanks for being a decent human being and alerting him to what it's probably worth.

Cheers,

R.

Roger, the paint in this one to my eyes looks new and shows no aging of the nice condition one's I've seen in the past.

 

[zuiko85]

My first impression was; too too nice to be original, unless it was stored in an argon atmosphere, in the dark, at 25 % RH. If it is a recovery effort then the person who did it must be a true artist.

 

[Chemophilic]

Comparing pictures of authentical grey IIIc Leicas the covering seems legit.
Does it have a "K" stamp on the shutter curtain?

I just took a look at it again and it's not apparently clear if that "K" sign is there. Is it just about looking into the camera?

Thank you for the contact info as well.

If you are interested in seeing the full res picture, I can email to you. Please PM.

 

[RF_newbie]

Date is 4.1 1943 (according to leica records)
Yes it is authentic
🙂

K does not "need to be there" except for better value.
Curtains are replaced all the time on these..and its a shame 🙁