Black Paint M4 Help

[sebii]

Hi all,


I have the opportunity to buy a black paint M4, and would appreciate help in the appraisal. The price is $2500USD, and it's from a friend that I trust.



In the photo with two, the camera for sale is the lower one with dents. It was serviced by DAG a few years ago and appears to work correctly. From what I can see, I believe the rewind knob has been partially replaced with a black chrome one. The serial appears authentic.



Any thoughts on this camera? It might be possible that I could wrangle the other, which is also listed, but it would require a CLA.



Many thanks!

 

[sebii]

Here are some more photos...

 

[bucs]

2500 sounds about right for a serviced black M4.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I would take the camera above: it is from the first batch: the serial number starts with 118...This camera has all black parts painted on brass. They're rare and often much more expensive than 'normal' black paint M4's.


Erik.

 

[Michael Markey]

I would take the camera above: it is from the first batch: the serial number starts with 11....This camera has all black parts painted on brass. They're rare and often are much more expensive than 'normal' black paint M4's.


Erik.

That`s interesting , not heard that before .
Unfortunately mine starts with 12 🙂

 

[sebii]

Thank you for the info. It was very useful. Do you think the rewind crank has been changed? Will that affect value much?

The camera that has been offered is the one with the serial beginning with 12.

 

[Mute-on]

Later ‘normal’ black paint M4s had some black chrome parts. The rewind crank is one. Mine is a 12 serial and has a black chrome rewind crank. It is original.

To answer your question, no I do not think the rewind crank has been changed, so it has no impact on value.

Realistically, a price of $2,500 USD, or about $3,600 AUD, for a serviced BP M4 is at the cheaper end of the scale. The dents will have pushed the value down. If you are a collector, avoid it and try to acquire the earlier one. If a user, bargain down on condition and grab a good deal.

You will need to carefully check the operating condition of either camera. In particular, the focus patch should be clear and distinct. If it has what look like fine hairs scattered throughout, it is the glass sandwich frameline mask delaminating. A full overhaul to fix this, as well as renew shutter curtains (if required) and fully rebuild will cost up to $1,000 AUD. If there are no such issues, a proper, thorough CLA could be less than half this amount

 

[Erik van Straten]

Thank you for the info. It was very useful. Do you think the rewind crank has been changed? Will that affect value much?

The camera that has been offered is the one with the serial beginning with 12.

These are nice too, much nicer than the later black chrome ones. This one is in a user condition, I have no idea of the price.


Erik.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

Sebii, I'd take either one if offered to me. They're great cameras and my favourite. Of course the undented one is nicer but frankly if a camera gets used a lot it's going to show it, like any tool. Unless your obsessive the dented one would do nicely.

DSCN5837 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/156629749@N02/

 

[sebii]

Thanks for all the kind help. The newer M4 is on its way to me. I shared the details mentioned by you all to him, and he’s unsurprisingly not so willing to let the other go for that price! I look forward to playing with it!

 

[Mute-on]

Thanks for all the kind help. The newer M4 is on its way to me. I shared the details mentioned by you all to him, and he’s unsurprisingly not so willing to let the other go for that price! I look forward to playing with it!

Congratulations Sebii! I hope it meets your expectations.

Please message me if you would like to discuss condition or service experiences in Oz.

J 🙂

 

[Erik van Straten]

DSCN5837 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/156629749@N02/

A very nice one, Deardorff! Early all brass rewind lever assembly.


Erik.

 

[steveshea]

Very nice. I would also take either at that price.

 

[Rob-F]

Thanks for all the kind help. The newer M4 is on its way to me. I shared the details mentioned by you all to him, and he’s unsurprisingly not so willing to let the other go for that price! I look forward to playing with it!

Congrats on your new M4! I know I could be happy with it!

 

[EddieJ]

Thanks for all the kind help. The newer M4 is on its way to me. I shared the details mentioned by you all to him, and he’s unsurprisingly not so willing to let the other go for that price! I look forward to playing with it!

Well done on your catch!

Has it arrived?
As with Mute-on PM if you want any assistance with service in Au.