Feathered Arrow Leica 1A

[RichardLeica]

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?

 

[Rob-F]

Interesting bit of Leica history! Thanks for posting!

 

[RichardLeica]

Thanks Rob!

 

[Erik van Straten]

I have in my collection of pictures of Leicas only nr. 3564 with two feathers on the wind knob, but this one is already mentioned by you.


Erik.

 

[jsrockit]

Wow, beautiful touch... and almost 100 years old.

 

[Dralowid]

Technically (well so far as darts, archery and probably heraldry goes) a fletch.

My earliest was 10xxx so well out of range.

Interesting stuff!

 

[Ambro51]

I think your post on l-forum got good input

 

[CameraQuest]

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?

 

[RichardLeica]

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.