Feathered Arrow Advance Knob Leica 1A

RichardLeica

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Leitz put 'feathered' arrows on the advance and re-wind knobs of Leica 1s for a limited period from late 1926, categorised by the von Einems as Variant 2. The majority had three 'feathers' or six if you count each line separately. A limited number had only two (or four) 'feathers' on the advance knob arrow only for some unknown reason. Lars Netopil says that this is a rare variant, and I have only come across five serial #s so far: 1618 (illustrated in Jim Lager's book), 3125, 3293, 3520, 3564. Mr Netopil has not come to any conclusion about the serial numbers of these and the few he has also seen in the past. Angela von Einem tells me that the 'triple feather' arrows were embossed (geprägt) but says the 'double feather' on camera #3520 is engraved. It is indeed much clearer than the usual rather blurred arrows on other cameras. The other double feathered knobs appear to be embossed so a special stamp would have been made.

I wondered if any members have 'double arrow' Leica 1s in their collections, or have come across any. Serial numbers would be very helpful. I have attached a photograph of*#3520. You could understand it if both knobs had the engraved double arrow as it is a lot clearer than the triple one, but there seems to be no logic in having different arrows on each knob. Possibly because of customer confusion?
 

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eh,
what source is von Einems ??

Leitz put*'feathered' arrows on the advance and re-wind knobs of Leica 1s for a limited period from late 1926, categorised by the von Einems as Variant 2. The majority had three 'feathers' or six if you count each line*separately. A limited number had only two (or four)*'feathers' on the advance knob arrow only*for some unknown*reason. Lars Netopil says that this is a rare variant, and I have only come across five serial #s so far: 1618 (illustrated in Jim Lager's book), 3125, 3293, 3520, 3564. Mr Netopil has not come to any conclusion about the serial numbers of these and the few he has also seen in the past. Angela von Einem tells me*that the 'triple feather' arrows were embossed (geprägt) but says the 'double feather' on camera #3520 is engraved. It is indeed much clearer than the usual rather blurred arrows on other cameras. The other double feathered knobs appear to be embossed so a special stamp would have been made.

I wondered if any members have 'double arrow' Leica 1s in their collections, or have come across any. Serial numbers would be very helpful. I have attached a photograph of*#3520. You could understand it if both knobs had the engraved double arrow as it is a lot clearer than the triple one, but there seems to be no logic in having different arrows on each knob. Possibly because of customer confusion?
 
It is by Angela und Henning von Einem, "Die 10 Varianten der klassischen Leica IA mit Elmar". The bible for 1As, privately published but out of print. Angela von Einem is preparing a new edition, possibly for later in the year.
 
I'm a bit late to the party, but here's my completely upgraded, chromed and re-engraved 1927 Leica no. 3257 which has the feathered arrows. You can still see the holes where the "hockey stick" was attached so it still has its original vulcanite!
 

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I'm a bit late to the party, but here's my completely upgraded, chromed and re-engraved 1927 Leica no. 3257 which has the feathered arrows. You can still see the holes where the "hockey stick" was attached so it still has its original vulcanite!
What a cool detail. I never picked up on that.

Wondering if one could think of the two-arrow -->> advance knob as a visual-cue to a more limited/slower motion (or action) - as winding to the next frame; versus the three-arrow --->>> film-rewind knob which provides a visual-cue/action to turn the knob faster and with more revolutions during film rewind? 🤔

Or, the production worker/arrow stamper-engraver apprentice screwed up. 🙂

iu
 
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