Thanks for the information. The black paint was professionally done, that's all I know on that, likewise the frame lines in the viewfinder. The fast loading was factory done I'm guessing, if I understand about the Army canceling an order, then the factory modifying the load system? I like the lens on your M2, my serial number is 227 higher than yours.
According the recorded numbers (at least based on the information I have), the last KS15-4 was #1164300. That means your camera was built outside the recorded serial range of the KS15-4 camera; that doesn't mean your camera isn't genuine, but it does mean it wasn't recorded as a KS15-4.
The KS15-4 was not a "cancelled" contract; in fact, AFAIK, every M2 KS15-4 produced was used at some point in Vietnam. It is very rare to find one of these in "collectible" condition. The one pictured above was in almost perfect condition because the topcover cleaned up nicely, it had no dents or scratches, and the backplate and baseplate, which were well used, were easily replaced - I simply lucked out. Sure wish I had either one back! I sold both at different times (among the stupidest things I've done over the years) due to their value - and at the time I simply preferred using a metered M camera.
Some say the M2-R (2000 units sequentially produced), produced much later in 1969 - well into M4 production - was a cancelled military contract. I believe this is simply not true. Leica was looking to revive the M2 as a lower cost alternative to the then popular M4, but production costs and sales didn't bear that out. Ultimately, in order to blow them out, the M2-R was "kitted" with a DR Summicron.
The KS15-4 was the very first camera to have the "M4" quick loading system manufactured and installed at the Leica factory. Produced in 1966, 875 units were recorded in two groups; Sr. # 1163151-1163770 (620) and 1164046-1164300 (255).
M2-6 (FrankenLeica) - another story altogether. ...
