Leica IIIf black

[rtucker]

I just came across a black IIIf camera for sale, and thinking of picking it up. I didn't know there was any black ones made, other than a few military ones. This one is black enamel, with the silver plated knobs. Its serial #546394 saying that it is a true IIIf camera. Any ideas of its a painted chrome camera or could it be factory paint? If its real I want to grab it before someone beats me to it.

 

[mcfingon]

I've never heard of a factory-made black IIIf. They are all silver chrome to the best of my knowledge. I would assume the one you are talking about is a repaint. The serial sounds right for a 1951 camera. The black military camera mentioned by you seems to be this one:
http://www.9days.hk/post/leica-iiif-black-paint-exclusively-built-for-the-swedish-army-1-52/
And here's some info about a dechrome and repaint:
https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148365

 

[rtucker]

This is the camera in question.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I forgot which Leica number is the first to be preceded by "No." This one must be one of the earliest with "Nr." It belongs to the first batch of 40.000 IIIf cameras.

I must see more and better pictures to say anything about the camera.

Erik.