Help ID an Antique Leica

[Joe Mondello]

I inherited this well worn antique Leica . . .well it doesn't say Leica on it just Ernst Leitz Wetzlar D.R.P. and there is no model number just the s/n 57553

It was used by a petroleum geologist in the American desert in the 30s and 40s. There is a leather half case that is still in decent shape.

Any ideas or help much appreciated!

Pics are here . . .

http://www.flickr.com/photos/musicandlight/sets/72157594394808981/

 

[Joe Mondello]

Looks like a 1930 Leica I to me.

Congrats !

Roland.

Thank you!

I found more info here. . .

http://www.ozdoba.net/leica/schraub_I_C_Standard_e.html

looks from the s/n to be a I(c) standardized.

Is it worth restoring? Or should I just leave it on my curio shelf?

 

[VictorM.]

It's inherited: restore it and use it.

 

[Xmas]

I'd use it unless you have sensitive skin, you either need to try and get the pukka rangefinder or learn how to scale focus.

Noel

 

[jesse1dog]

Your old Leica

Your old Leica

It's inherited: restore it and use it.

Hi Joe,

Sounds a good idea to me as well - as long as you have the money to do it. If it was out in the desert in the 1930s and 40s and hasn't had any attention since I should think it will need a CLA. Add the price of a couple of curtains and a new outer covering and the price begins to add up. Then there is the lens! Can you see through it? I don't know anything about costs where you are but I just had a CLA on my IIc plus 2 new curtains and with p&p was nearly £130 the worse off.

Why don't you get some quotes first.

However if it ends up as clutter on one of your shelves, just let me know!!
Shall I start saving now?

Joking (only a bit) - just enjoy having a piece of history. What tales it could tell!

 

[Ash]

If you don't want it.... I'd give it a good home and restore it 😉

Yea looks like a leica I/Standard to me.

 

[Joe Mondello]

Thanks all!

Any clue as to the value as-is or if restored? Anyone know good Leica restorers?

 

[Ash]

Value as-is would be quite low. It's what's known as a 'dog'.

A later model Leica (II or III if I remember correctly) had been dropped in the ocean and was in an awful state. It got 'curiosity value' and I'm sure went for aover £100??

I've been given the names of a few different UK Leica repairs, but I don't think many would take that job on cheap. It'd involve removing most of the original parts if the inside is as bad as that shell.

I think you should sell it to me instead 😀

 

[varjag]

Or you could consider restoring it yourself, if you have time and desire. It is a fairly simple camera.

 

[Ash]

There's a book out there with the repair notes for Leicas, and fix the shutter and wind-on.

Otherwise all you really need is to replace the vulcanite stuff with a nice thin leather (since it's so much nicer than vulcanite) and sort out the lens.

The lens may not have any hope left in it though, it looks a little hazey.

 

[Joe Mondello]

Thanks again for all the info. Great forum.