Black IIIb and lens

[john neal]

Well, it looks like the folks on the video game thought that was a genuine deal - it closed at
£3,858.85 😱

I hope that somebody doesn't get a nasty surprise when they send it off for a CLA!

 

[Dralowid]

Blimey, wonder what they know that we don't...or maybe they don't???

Michael

 

[John Lawrence]

Someone has deep pockets....

 

[john neal]

Blimey, wonder what they know that we don't...or maybe they don't???

Michael

Michael,

I guess we will never know.

I wonder if it was the same guy who walked into MW Classic one Monday and bought every black Barnack they had in stock?

 

[LeicaTom]

Wow!

Over $4,500 for a questionable camera?

I wish I could know who bought this, I`d sell him my collection for $10k then he`d be sure to be getting some original stuff 🙂

Tom

 

[Dralowid]

I was keen to bid a 'normal balck conversion' price plus a bit but it ran away far too soon...

...but...

...I still couldn't understand the black knobs.

Has anyone seen any cameras from that period that had black knobs?

(post '45 I know of IIIf and IIIg Swedish army)

Somebody put my mind at rest, I'm fretting!

Michael

 

[LeicaTom]

Like I said Jim Lager said it was a doubtful camera (made out of fantasy)

The Swedish Army IIIF`s and IIIG`s had the black knobs, they were the ONLY postwar cameras made like that.

Tom

 

[Dralowid]

"they were the ONLY postwar cameras made like that."

Tom,

Can I assume they were the ONLY ltm cameras made like that?

Michael

 

[Rob-F]

Is that an "X" after the serial number? I couldn't quite tell if it was an "X" or a "K" but I don't know why it would be a "K." I never heard of a IIIbK. But I never heard of a IIIbX either.

@Lynn: there are examples of the 50mm Elmar, latest version, finished in black; though the barrel part is still bright chrome in the ones I've seen.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Not sure if this is right or not, but wasn't it an asterisk? And doesn't that mean that the serial number was issued twice? Or it was a 'double delivery'? I could be wrong!

 

[LeicaTom]

Hmmm I wonder why so many of you doubt what Jim Lager had to say about this camera......I really think that when he says "hands off" it`s a no no and a waste of good money , and not a camera to lose sleep over.

Ohh Vince, drop me an email I have new information about your MOOLY Motor and when it was made etc.

Tom

 

[Harry Lime]

With all very due respect to Mr Lager, for a serious evaluation the camera really needs to be examined in person and possibly partially disassembled. He himself would probably agree with that.

But it is a strange camera and I fully agree with Mr. Lager that there is reason to be skeptical. I don't believe I have ever seen a black paint WM camera, let alone one with black knobs (except for the post war Swedish ones).

It would be interesting to examine the paint. Does the paint on the knobs match the body? If the paint was analyzed, would it date as modern?

 

[demian]

Agreed.

<EDITED: ah forget it...why do I become so involved?! deleted>

 

[Rob-F]

Hmmm I wonder why so many of you doubt what Jim Lager had to say about this camera......I really think that when he says "hands off" it`s a no no and a waste of good money , and not a camera to lose sleep over.

Tom

Tom: Not sure who that was directed at. I certainly didn't mean to give the impression that I doubt Jim. I'm sure it's not authentic. But I wonder what was intended by the engraving after the serial# ?

 

[LeicaTom]

But I wonder what was intended by the engraving after the serial# ?

Ohh so much of what we know the * asterisk is donoting double delivery/reissued serial number from damaged destroyed camera or just for issue records denoting reissue etc. (double number etc. etc. I know of Chrome IIIC K`s that are double delivery ** issued three times same number ~ 1943/45 and 45)

The * asterisk seemed to be far too clean, also it`s hard to say if it wasn`t put there by the factory, while most asterisk`s I`ve seen before, were stamped a little high or lower than the serial number line......

Tom

 

[Rob-F]

OK so it's an asterisk then. I couldn't make it out well enough on my screen. Aging eyes. So, interesting that the asterisk aroused suspicion because it looks too good. This reminds me of a story I read once about a counterfeiter who was caught by the treasury department because he was doing a better job of engraving and printing than the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing! In the story, when he got out of jail, they bought his press from him and hired him!

 

[Dralowid]

If every Leica ‘expert’ were all as knowledgeable and infallible as they think they are, there would be no market for these ‘interesting variations’.

I am inclined to start a new thread:

I am a Leica Expert because...


Michael