Leicavit MP Question

R

Rockford

Guest
Went to preview an auction over the wekend and saw my first Leicavit MP. I pulled it out of a box of junk. I have an old M2 but never saw one of these. Thought it might be worth a couple of hundred. Posted here to have that confirmed. Wrong thread I guess. I can't even find my own post. Found out that it was worth much more. It was pulled out of the auction after several of us suggested it would never bring what it is worth since it was a general auction, and only a few camera guys present..

I was able to try in on my M2 to verify that it fit, worked, etc. It did. The owner was pleased. It is in "bargain" condition, I suppose. Lots of scrateches on base, but no brass showing throught he chrome, and no big dents.

What is one of these things worth? This is not an offer to sell, as it is not mine, though I did think about bidding on it when I though it was worth much less. I am just curious. I may never see the owner again, though she said she may put it on eBay.

Also, if you put one of these on an M2 would it be an MP? Where those cameras so marked---the early ones, I know about the later ones. Thanks. I though this was a story worth sharing. If I had never heard the phrase "MP" I may have been able to buy it out of a box of junk----like broken 283 Vivitars, etc. I guess strange things do still happen.

One more observation: On my M2 it was very smooth. Of course, part of the joy of the M2 for me is using the thumb on that wonderful ly smooth leaver. Did not get the same thrill from the Leicivit. I was impressed by its rarity. May never see another one.
 
I'm no expert, but one piece of your question I can answer: putting an MP winder on your M2 wouldn't make it an MP. The MP was physically different from either the M3 or the M2 -- among other things, it has M3-type frames around the finder windows, but an M2-type external film counter, so it's easy to identify visually (in addition to the "MP" prefix on the serial number.) Inside, the MP has steel gears in the winding train for better durability, so the differences aren't just cosmetic.

I'm sure the Leica experts here know various other tricks for distinguishing a genuine MP.
 
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