Is this a real Leica Model A?

[Mudman]

Hi Folks,

Just need some help id'ing any issues with this camera. I know it has been rechromed, and the vulcanite has now been replaced. Besides the chrome, do you see any issues with the camera? Does anything stick out to you as fake? For comparison here are real leica model a's from Pacific rim:
http://www.pacificrimcamera.com/pp/leica/sm/a.htm

Before Photos:

Photos after new camera leather and repair:

Please post any questions, comments or concerns. Thank you! Serial Number dates it to early 1929.

 

[Mudman]

Icloud photos of the last bit are here: https://www.icloud.com/photostream/#A7JtdOXmJqLXGq

The last photo in the album is from ebay for reference.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I have seen rechromed Leica I cameras before:

This is the Leica I from Cartier-Bresson.

Erik.

 

[jbielikowski]

There is a very similar one for sale locally, so I believe it was a common upgrade.

 

[Dralowid]

Looks like the serial number is something like 13,765 which, I think, falls within the range of the dimple shutter button but isn't the engraving on the lens is of the later type? I'm not sure when that was introduced. Someone else will tell us. The chrome knobs may be later.

It is real enough but answers to the above will clarify whether it all came out of the factory on the same day.

Michael

 

[Mudman]

Ho Michael,

Lens doesn't have it's own serial number, is nickle, and has the "fatter" style engraving. I thought all of that puts the lens pre 1932 at least correct?

Thanks,
Eric

 

[Erik van Straten]

The difference of the engraving suggests that the lens head and the focusing mount come from different lenses.

The lens is probably numbered, but to see the number you have take the optical unit out of the mount, not advisable.

The focusing mount is from before 1930, but the lens head can be from a much later period, 1931 - 1936.

Erik.

 

[Dralowid]

The difference of the engraving suggests that the lens head and the focusing mount come from different lenses.

The lens is probably numbered, but to see the number you have take the optical unit out of the mount, not advisable.

The focusing mount is from before 1930, but the lens head can be from a much later period, 1931 - 1936.

Erik.

Hi Erik and Eric, that's what I meant. I'd expect the lens lettering to be the same as the one I posted on the 'O' replica thread a couple of weeks back...maybe.

Michael

 

[Dralowid]

Found it,

Here the shutter release has been modernised as has the lens mount but the lens head itself has the old style of engraving.

IMG_1235 by dralowid, on Flickr

Michael

 

[traveler_101]

The difference of the engraving suggests that the lens head and the focusing mount come from different lenses.

The lens is probably numbered, but to see the number you have take the optical unit out of the mount, not advisable.

The focusing mount is from before 1930, but the lens head can be from a much later period, 1931 - 1936.

Erik.

What does this mean about the value of the camera?

 

[johannielscom]

Not sure whether that is

a) a factory re-chrome or
b) a silver re-paint, or
c) a re-chrome performed by third party.

The engravings on the top are invisible, so either they were filled up with paint or with chrome. But it certainly would not have left the factory like that after a re-chrome.

Also, if you look closely at the different pictures it appears as if the chrome does not extend very far under the knobs? Meaning it might not be chrome at all but paint.

The rewind lever really shouldn't rest against the shutter speed bell either and that might indicate something's wrong with the wind and rewind mechanism...

 

[Mudman]

I'd vote for C; The engravings are visible in person, just very filled in by the chrome. It's definitely not a factory rechome job. Rewind and wind work fine; camera was just CLA'd in late 2013.

 

[Dralowid]

What does this mean about the value of the camera?

Ho Ho Ho. This is an interesting oddity and as someone who used to collect oddities all I can say is that the value can only be what what a potential purchaser is prepared to pay.

The market, and the money, pay for originality, which is depressingly unimaginative of them, if you really enjoy the subject there is plenty of satisfaction to be found in researching the 'oddities'.

Michael

 

[Mudman]

Thanks folks! So real with replacement parts. That's what I thought, just wanted some further affirmation on the camera.