leica IIIc strange question about serial numbers

[sanmich]

Hi all

I would like to know what would be the serial number of a leica camera and lens produced in April 1943. Is it possible?

Would one of you have a book that could give the answer?

Thanks

Michael

 

[sanmich]

Any idea?
Anyone?

 

[FPjohn]

See CameraQuest or a Hove Leica Pocket Book among other sources.

IIIc 390001-397650
397651-399999
1943/1946

Lens 593001-594880
1943

yours
FPJ

 

[VictorM.]

Lens No.'s: http://www.forloren.dk/lbf/leica_lens_serial.htm

Body No.'s: http://www.cameraquest.com/ltmnum.htm

More info & links: http://nemeng.com/leica/#032b

 

[Rob-F]

In addition to the 1943-46 range FPJ gave, I see a 1941-44 range, numbered from 367001 through 367325. I see no set of numbers for just 1943, though. Jim Lager might be able to pin it down. Do you have his email? If not maybe I can find it around here someplace!

 

[sanmich]

Thanks all for your answers!
Rob-F, no, I have not Jim Lager's email.
I'll be thankful if you could connect me.
Thanks

 

[LeicaTom]

#3894xx K would be March/April 1943 they were all IIIC K Grey`s with the dark red K shutter stamp (very rare) lens serial numbers were #577xxx or #578xxx
*you can`t go by those online Leica serial numbers, while they are only appox. production numbers and not the original isssue dates*

I have a May 1943 IIIC K Grey myself, 1943 is a very uncommon year for Leica`s, hard to find for sale. (I sent you that photo of the only camera I know for sale at the moment)

Tom

 

[sanmich]

Tom,
Thanks for the help. I got the picture.
If I drop the idea of getting the specific month but only want to find a 1943 camera+ lens, does that make it easier?
Are there regular chrome IIIc that were produced this year?
What are the SN for 1943?

Thanks !!

 

[FPjohn]

Definitive?

Definitive?

Which source gives the definitive serial numbers? Is it published in hard copy?

yours
FPJ

 

[LeicaTom]

Tom,
Thanks for the help. I got the picture.
If I drop the idea of getting the specific month but only want to find a 1943 camera+ lens, does that make it easier?
Are there regular chrome IIIc that were produced this year?
What are the SN for 1943?

Thanks !!

No, that`s why cameras went Grey in late 1942 because there was`nt any chrome left for production, the Grey paint used for them was obsolete deadstock Luftwaffe Aircraft cockpit paint......

There`s a really beautiful 1944 IIIC K Grey on evilbay now, I`m sure will go way over $3,000, be prepared to pay that sort of money for a 1943 issue IIIC K Grey camera. (1943 like I said is a very hard year to find) and since the IIIC K was the only issue at that time, difficut to obtain, there`s no easy way to get a 1943 camera, that year was the "cram" year at Wetzlar, supplies were starting to get harder and harder to get, quality was still very high despite the war, just the production was much lower than the former years - easiest "wartime" era camera to get is 1941, there`s more than enough "Red Curtain" Leica IIIC`s out there now.

Issued lenses were 1941/42 dated

Tom

 

[sanmich]

And so goes my idea...
Thanks all for the help.

 

[LeicaTom]

And so goes my idea...
Thanks all for the help.

Well, you can always find a decent "wartime" Red Curtain with a lens for under $600....out there 🙂 (1941/42 issue)

Tom