looking for an odd part/mount

[Red Robin]

In my travels I acquired a nearly-new(came in a box) Made in Germany, Bk.,E.Leitz Wetzlar , rangefinder/distance thingy. It's got a big wheel for adjustments on the front, and is marked in feet. (2.6'-300') This little trick has a small round post on the bottom about 1/4'' wide and appears to fit into a hot shoe base that I don't have but hope to obtain. ~ ~~ ~~~ somewhere😕

 

[Tom A]

It sounds like a FODIS - this was a rangefinder that mounted on the early Leica's (which did not have a rangefinder coupled system). You either by estimating the distance - or used the FODIS which would slide in to the shoe on top of the camera. You then used the rangefinder to get the correct distance and transferred this distance to the lens. Not exactly swift - but it works. Looks impressive too - like a looming tower over the camera.

 

[Platinum RF]

Try DGA, he may have this part

 

[Dwig]

Actually, it sounds more like a FOKOS. The FODIS didn't have the post that fit the special foot; it mounted vertically only. Without the OP's missing foot it will still mount in the vertical positon.

The FOKOS had a larger dial and round ends, like the FODIS, that would slip into the accessory shoe to allow vertical mounting. The FOKOS also had a post and foot on its "side" to allow for horizontal mounting. The post would rotate in the foot, the part the OP is missing, to allow access to the shutter speed dial. The FOKOS was available in black and chrome.

According to Lager, the FOKOS was reintroduced in 1949 and in a version that omitted the post and foot and could only be mounted vertically. The horizontal mounting would work with the Ic plus SBOOI finder of the period as the finder was too large.

 

[RichL]

Be advised that it was made of an 'accessory shoe' some of the newer hot-shoes are narrower and it will almost but not quite fit.