Leica: Zinc or Brass?

[Zaradashte]

Hi every body,
I have known (as a new Leica owner) that the Leica factory exchange to top of the leica body from Brass to Zinc. Is that wright? If this was wright, which year?
any comments are wellcome
Thank you all

 

[thomasw_]

Only the last batch of M4Ps (from 1984 - 1.642.551) have the same RF/VF of M6 (and the zinc top plate) : they are rather uncommon (the rare chrome version) : 4196 items out of a total of over 22.000 M4Ps ; the latest 2223 have also the same flash sync connection (single) as a M6.
So if you wish to find a M4P with the "classic" 50 mm frame and a brass top plate, look at the s/n: see if it's under 1.642.551; also, the vf/rf windows look more recessed than the zinc ones.

 

[maddoc]

... and from 2002, starting with the M7, back to brass. 🙂

 

[Roger Hicks]

... and from 2002, starting with the M7, back to brass. 🙂

CNC milled from a HUGE lump.

Cheers,

R.

 

[maddoc]

... but seems to be cheaper than zinc diecasting ? (including the final surface covering with paint / chrome)

 

[Zaradashte]

Very pro and helpful! Thank you all