Leica M2 Serial Number

[paulh]

Hi all,

I have a M2 with a serial number 960026. Wanted to find out some history of it so went to cameraquest.com to check the serial number. I was surprise to find that the list specifically skipped a series with this serial number. Anybody knows what could be the reason? I emailed Stephen Gandy and he confirmed that the list is straight from Leica. Thanks in advance.
Paul

 

[the lobster]

According to the Leica website here:

http://www.leica-camera.com/cgi-bin/overview.pl/en/sn2p

it is a M2 Vorlaufwerk. (Which means something like "before drive".)

 

[paulh]

Thanks

Thanks

Hi, thanks. I wonder what that means...
Cheers,
Paul

 

[zeos 386sx]

Google translates as "advance work".

Could it be part of a test run for something Leica was thinking about adding to or changing on the camera? It would be interesting to know how it got into the marketplace.

 

[jja]

Looking at the cameraquest list by date and serial number, it appears to be a typo. If you scroll down to "6/22/59," there are two listings, one for M2 and one for M2 with self-timer. The first listing shows the range 960501-961500 (1000 made) and the second list shows 960501-960500 (1000 made) (sic). The second listing appears to be incorrect. See what Gandy says.

 

[jja]

"advance work" = self-timer??

 

[peter_n]

According to the Leica website here:

http://www.leica-camera.com/cgi-bin/overview.pl/en/sn2p

it is a M2 Vorlaufwerk. (Which means something like "before drive".)

Yep, my Leica Pocket Book 7th edition (Hove) on page 268 lists serial nrs. 959501-960200 as "M2 Vorl" manufactured in 1959.

 

[Hektor]

Paul, does this M2 have a self-timer ? - i don't think the early ones did.

 

[Doug]

Hi Hektor, you're right -- Brian and I both have button-rewind M2 bodies, among the very earliest made (mine's 9350xx, a bit newer than his), and they don't have self-timers... But do have frame-selector levers unlike some even earlier M3's. 🙂

 

[Hektor]

Hmmm.... without researching it then, I think it just means it's a self-timer model, made at a time when that spec was not a standard model feature. They probably did a separate batch to satisfy requests from some customers, and then later decided to make it a standard feature.

All very interesting for M afficionados. (that includes me).

 

[paulh]

Pictures

Pictures

Hi all,

Very interesting. Here are some pictures of the M2. Yes, it does has a self-timer but it is a button rewind.
Cheers,
Paul

 

[Hektor]

Hmmm.....

Seems pretty conclusive to me. I think it's an interesting fairly rare camera in nice condition.

Probably adds something to the notional money value to a buyer who cares about such things.

If you ever sell it, you should mention the fact. Otherwise conserve it with care.

 

[paulh]

Thanks for the advise. Will keep that in mind.
Cheers,
Paul

 

[Doug]

That's an interesting variation, Paul, and a nice looking camera! 🙂

 

[paulh]

Hi Doug,

Yes its in great condition. M2s are my favourite. I bought this one years ago from London, a online seller called Fieldgrass and Gale. Dont think they exists anymore.

Cheers,
Paul