Hektor 28mm f/6.3 Serial Number, Help!

[kdemas]

I just bought a Hektor 28mm f/6.3 lens yesterday. The lens is in incredible condition, the lens (tiny as it!) looks coated. Here's the issue. I am trying to see when this piece was manufactured and there is no serial number anywhere on the item that I can find!

The little bakelite case it comes in has no numbers on it either (I had read that there may be a number on the bottom). This comes from a VERY reputable dealer.

Any ideas as to how I can identify this lens and it's production date would really be appreciated.

Kent

:bang:

 

[OldNick]

I have never seen the Hektor 28, but will offer a suggestion. The Elmar 50s of the same period have a serial number of VERY small numerals engraved in the dark ring that surrounds the front element. You might look for something similar on the Hektor. The Elmar requires a magnifier to read the number.

Jim N.

 

[nickdando]

I've just bought one myself, and the number is stamped into the black ring surrounding the inner lens as L39UK has said above - mine is 452383. I haven't really had a chance to use it yet. For its size it's quite heavy, but nowhere near as heavy as the 90mm Summicron-M. According to Malcolm Taylor, who I bought it from, the lens isn't coated.

Nick

 

[kdemas]

Interseting....

Interseting....

Guys,

Thanks so much for the tips as I found the serial number on the back black portion. Here is actually where things get a little bizarre.

The serial number is VERY early, 273xxx, but the lens is definitely coded. So, 1935 production means it must have been coded after the war as I believe there was no pre-war coding.

I am going to call my dealer again for fun tomorrow to see if I can get a bit more of the story. Thanks againi!

Kent

 

[peterm1]

The serial number is VERY early, 273xxx, but the lens is definitely coded. So, 1935 production means it must have been coded after the war as I believe there was no pre-war coding.

I don't think this is so unusual. I have a pre-war 50mm Elmar that is coated, the serial number indicating it as made in 1936. The camera I bought it with, a 111a also with a pre-war serial number, has a number of signs of having gone back to the factory to have flash sync fitted and a new rangefinder (top-plate) cover fitted at the same time. I think it was a part of the service offered by Leitz in the 1950s.

 

[LeicaTom]

Many lenses were coated after WW2 - starting with the American GI`s kits in 1945/46 and it was offered for all pre war lenses at Leitz well into the 1950`s

3/4 of all the 28mm Hektor`s were built pre 1940 - wartime or postwar versions of this lens are very very rare

Tom

 

[kdemas]

Thanks Again!

Thanks Again!

Thanks again to everyone for their help. I look forward to shooting with it a bit this coming weekend 🙂

Take care,

Kent