Leica I conversion question

[dougcee]

I have an early 5 digit serial no. Leica I converted to a III. Most all conversions I've seen have the "0" engraved at the top of the new lens mount. Mine doesn't. It just has the little black tick mark at the 9 o'clock position on the edge of the mount.
Any idea what might have happened here?
Thanks!🙂

 

[Mr_Flibble]

The "O" was used to designate that it was standardized, could be they used a younger ring in the conversion when they ran out of "O" marked ones.

 

[dougcee]

Thanks Flibble, maybe that's it!

 

[Jacques M.]

Leitz abandoned the "0" some time after the standardization (1932). Perhaps it is the case of your camera if it was upgraded years after.

On the other hand, a tick at 9 o'clock is too the mark of Fed cameras. So....

Jacques.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Don't forget that the model III didn't appear until 1933, long after standardisation and who knows when the conversion took place? More to the point, I expect whoever owned it waited and thought about it for some time.

Regards, David

 

[Erik van Straten]

My black/nickel III 114317 has both the thick mark and the "0".

Erik.

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

My IIIc 428631 (47/48) has a 0. This camera may be a "bitsa".

 

[dougcee]

Thanks for the opinions guys. I'll post some pics a little later.

 

[dougcee]

Needs recovering but works well. Top and front view.