Black Leica III fake?

[binomistar-g]

Hi, I recently bought what seems to be black Leica III with a Summar. It wasn't too expensive so I gave it a shot. When I examined it, it became clear that the serial number was ridiculously low for a Leica III. I checked it on Stephen Gandy's list and it seems that this badge were all Leica I.

There's also an added flash socked in the back, which the seller claimed it was factory modified. I didn't really believe this, but, whatever, I thought.

Could this really be an upgraded Leica I? The more I look at it, the fishier it smells.

 

[MikeL]

!

!

It looks like the Standard I have that had been upgraded to a III, but mine has the normal III shutter dial.

I haven't seen a III top plate with the IIIf shutter speed dial and markings. And the rewind release lever looks odd. Hope someone can help more!

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Post-war upgrade of a Leica I to IIIa-sync.
The rewind lever is correct for a IIIa.

 

[MikeL]

Thanks Mr. Fibble, I shoulda looked at the conversion thread first.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=834558&postcount=16

 

[colyn]

It's a genuine Leica with a genuine Leica upgrade..

Leica offered this upgrade on all pre-IIIf models except the Leica-O..

 

[Vince Lupo]

I used to have one like that -- they're really beautiful!

 

[Dralowid]

Very nice IIIa syn. Look for them in the 'conversions' thread, 111146 is mine and part of a collection of black conversions that I still have. Here's an old pic of some.

Michael

Scan-130412-0001 by dralowid, on Flickr

 

[binomistar-g]

But the serial... 10148

It looks too good to be true!

 

[Erik van Straten]

It is a post war conversion. The black ones are irresistible.

Erik.

 

[goamules]

But the serial... 10148

It looks too good to be true!

Do you realize that when Leica upgraded older cameras, they used the same serial number the camera started with. Why do you think it's too good to be true? I'm too lazy to go looking up serial numbers right now...

 

[johannielscom]

What the other guys said, a Leica I to IIIa-syn conversion.

With a Summar (what serial number? Possible original combo!?) attached, I wonder what 'not too expensive' actually translates to, number-wise... 🙄

 

[Ronald M]

Most all fakes have a fed pointed focusing cam follower rather than a roller.

If a roller is there, I would go with the conversion.

 

[rfaspen]

Sure looks like a conversion to me. And a nice looking one too. Alas, I have no black Barnacks in my cupboard, so I'm envious 😉