leica in w/kentucky antique store

[subman60]

Coming home from vacation the family stopped in Cadiz KY to walk around. An antique store we entered had a leica sn 393876 with an Elmar 50mm f3.5 lens for sale. Camera was very clean but seemed to be priced a little high at $650.00. That I'd post if anyone had an interest.

 

[Tony Whitney]

My experience with antique shops (which I love!) is that when they get something in with an iconic name, they get all excited and think they've hit the jackpot - and thus price the item far too high.This applies to everything from Dinky Toys to Omega watches. Most of them are antiques generalists and often know little about specialized areas like photography, toys or watches. Having said that, I have picked up a bargain or two in antique shops, though more often than not, they're way off the mark price-wise with quality cameras.

 

[LeicaTom]

A 1945 ex-US Army IIIC at $650? If it's like near mint/minty and has the correct case, lens with cap, that's a steal, I have 1945 #3939xx which is mint - minus /matching lens & cap & case, that I'll be selling soon for $150 more than that.

Clean WW2 style "stepper" cameras have been nearing the $1,000 mark gradually for the past 2 years now.....

Tom

 

[subman60]

How can you tell it's a ex us army Leica? I ask because on the tag it said ex usaaf captains camera. The camera and lens look to be in great shape. Did not check out the mechanicals though. It is the camera, lens and lower part of the everyready case. I would like to have it but just bought my 1st Leica last month, an M3, and cant afford it at this time.

 

[LeicaTom]

It's all about serial numbers, 98% of all postwar cameras were made for the US Army.

Tom

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Many of these were sold through the Army Post Exchange. So could easily have ended up in a USAAF officer's hands.

 

[Dralowid]

It's all about serial numbers, 98% of all postwar cameras were made for the US Army.

Tom

At the time they were the only people in Europe with money to burn...

 

[subman60]

If it was a PX purchase not an offical US Army camera would it have label like a Rolleicord I've got that reads For sale to and use byauthorised U.S. Forces Exchange Patrons only. Would this also affect the value of it.

 

[goamules]

So you are saying Tom, that any 1946 IIIc was also an "ex Army" and are now going for $1,000?! Then why did I have trouble almost giving away my 1946 IIIc? I took it to camera shows, put it on these forums, and barely got a bite at $250. I eventually had to sell it the other day on Craigslist for $150. It was very clean, had a mint case, had been CLA'd but wasn't perfect. I pulled the Elmar (when selling it that cheap) and put a Fed on it.

Know where I bought it? An antique store about 3 years ago. It was $500, with an Elmar 50mm and 90mm, and I told the store owner that was way too high. I offered $250 and he took it. So I was only out $100, plus $100 CLA, plus all my time!

I wouldn't touch another basic IIIc for $650, or even half that.