If only they could talk

[lxmike]

Hi Jim, I have recently acquired a IIIc stepper, l am not new to Barnacks, but its my first 'wartime camera', and l have been after stepper for many a year. As l sit here l wish l could get the camera to tell its story, its serial number is 386202, l wonder where it has been ans what has it captured over the years

 

[Livesteamer]

My most used camera is a IIIc stepper #385204. I got it in 2011 and the e bay seller was kind enough to tell me some history. It was a GI bring back which was then given to an uncle, a chemist, as a wedding gift. It traveled the world and upon his death went to a niece who sold it to me thru e bay. I got a petrified IIIc with crumbling vulcanite and a nice 50mm Summar. Sherry Krauter brought it back to life, she does not like screw mount Leicas, and fitted it with Griptac. Since then it has been a wonderful camera, doing the majority of my film. I normally use either a post war Elmar or Summitar and sometimes a Nikkor 50mm. With just a little luck it will outlast me and move on to another owner when I am gone. It's a keeper. Joe

 

[Jim Lager]

Greetings lxmike, Leica IIIc 386202 was shipped to the Italian Leitz agency
Cattaneo on 21.5.42. It is not military rather a wartime "civilian" Leica. Leitz
shipped substantial numbers of Leicas to Italy ( Axis partner to Germany).
In well over 40 years of research I have located very few from the 386XXX batch in US collections. Your camera appears to be in very fine condition .
Thank you for writing, Jim Lager.

 

[Jim Lager]

Hello livestaemer, Leica 385204 was delivered within Germany on 24.4.42
possibly to Hbg. ( Heidelberg). As you say came to the USA by returning GI.
You are correct, Sherry is not a great fan of the screwmount cameras. They are very labor intensive. Thank you for your comments, Jim Lager.

 

[scholzj1]

Hi, I recently got a IIIc stepper that was converted to a IIIf sn 380031. It has a social security number on the bottom that belonged to a man who was an army chaplain. I know it is from a large batch made in 1941/2 but if you're can find any more info on it that would be much appreciated.

 

[lxmike]

My most used camera is a IIIc stepper #385204. I got it in 2011 and the e bay seller was kind enough to tell me some history. It was a GI bring back which was then given to an uncle, a chemist, as a wedding gift. It traveled the world and upon his death went to a niece who sold it to me thru e bay. I got a petrified IIIc with crumbling vulcanite and a nice 50mm Summar. Sherry Krauter brought it back to life, she does not like screw mount Leicas, and fitted it with Griptac. Since then it has been a wonderful camera, doing the majority of my film. I normally use either a post war Elmar or Summitar and sometimes a Nikkor 50mm. With just a little luck it will outlast me and move on to another owner when I am gone. It's a keeper. Joe

What great back dory thanks for sharing🙂

 

[lxmike]

Greetings lxmike, Leica IIIc 386202 was shipped to the Italian Leitz agency
Cattaneo on 21.5.42. It is not military rather a wartime "civilian" Leica. Leitz
shipped substantial numbers of Leicas to Italy ( Axis partner to Germany).
In well over 40 years of research I have located very few from the 386XXX batch in US collections. Your camera appears to be in very fine condition .
Thank you for writing, Jim Lager.

Hi Jim, thank you for taking time out and research and sharing that knowledge, knowing a bit of background on this camera makes it even more special to me. Once again many thanks😎

 

[Livesteamer]

Thank You Jim for sharing that detailed knowledge. When I say my IIIc was a GI bring back I always wonder how that acquisition went. Was it traded for chocolate or cigarettes or just plain confiscated. Germany right after the war was in a terrible state. No food or housing and millions of displaced persons. Read Anthony Beevors The Fall of Berlin to get an idea of conditions.

On a happier note, my other IIIc is a 1947 model and I am the second owner. It has a new RF mirror and is a little brighter than my IIIc stepper but I prefer the stepper. Thanks Again. Joe