Price for IIIf Swedish Military?

W

wlewisiii

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I have a friend who is looking to sell a Leica IIIf that was from the Swedish military production in 1956. It needs a CLA (shutter curtains... ) and he's wondering if it's better to sell as is or get the CLA done by DAG first.

I am not too conversant with the Leica Mysteries so I just thought I would enquire of the collected wisdom here :D

William
 
wlewisiii said:
I have a friend who is looking to sell a Leica IIIf that was from the Swedish military production in 1956. It needs a CLA (shutter curtains... ) and he's wondering if it's better to sell as is or get the CLA done by DAG first. William
Click to expand...

William, after following my last advice you may well choose to ignore what I say here!

IMO, the camera would bring more after a CLA by DAG. I believe the difference in price realized would more than off-set the investment in the CLA.

Are you certain it's a IIIf? No mention of a Swedish IIIf is made in my books and by 1956 the IIIg was on the market. However, I note that a run of IIIf's made in 1956 were winterized and that would fit perfectly with Swedish military needs.

The Swedes did purchase the IIIg in black and the correct lens will have the three crowns engraved on it as did the body on the back. Serial number of the one illustrated in "Leica, The First 60 Years" is 988,000.

While I make no claims to knowing the value of such a rare Leica, my guess is that it would bring $5,000 and possibly more as the Swedish Leicas are among the most rare of all Leicas. I only wish I owned it! It wouldn't be for sale unless I was on my death bed.

Walker
 
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Hi William, one black paint Swedish military IIIf from 1956 recently went for 25.700 USD on an auction in Stockholm (including an Elmar 50/3.5). A black paint IIIg with an elmar 50/2.8 went for 19.300 US at the same auction. The IIIf was in A- condition and the IIIg in B condition.
tomas
 
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WOW! That's much better information than I gave. It's hard to fathom that any camera can be worth that much but collectors with deep pockets and a desire to own a very rare example of any given item can surprise.

William, I'd say your friend has a very valuable camera on his hands. I'd be looking for a bank vault if I owned it. :)

Walker
 
I haven't seen this one myself. I've left him a message to find out if those three crowns are there. Yikes, if that is one of them... :eek:

William
 
wlewisiii said:
I haven't seen this one myself. I've left him a message to find out if those three crowns are there. Yikes, if that is one of them... :eek:

William
Click to expand...

Yeah, if it is you'RE out of eBay-land and into Christie's!

If it is what it may be - sounds like it should be auctioned in Europe to command top price!

Let us know!!!
 
Make sure it's a real Leica and not one of those FSU knock off's, though. I've seen a Swedish "Three Crowns" FED/Zorki repaint on e-prey at least once.
 
Oh, you better believe it's going to go to someone qualified to verify what it is. Probably DAG since he's near here physically.

William
 
I am not sure that the Swedish Military iiif was stamped with the three crowns. The iiig definately is but as far as I can remember from the auction in Stockholm (I was there) the iiif did not have any crowns. The firstthing your friend should check is the serial number that should be 822901-823000 according to th information given in the auction catalogue. All cameras in this batch was black.

But... as have been said previously, watch out for fakes.

Good Luck!

/F
 
Thank you for that information, Fredrik. It is most helpful. It remains to be seen just what this one is for sure, but your information is a definate help.

William
 
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