Revealing Leica Serials?

[kazeonrff]

I've always wondered, but never managed to google a satisfying answer -

Why are users / sellers afraid of revealing their Leica's (or other equipment's) serial number? 😕

I've heard of something like "some unscrupulous character elsewhere might claim that Leica was one lost by him", but i'm wondering still, what's the reason behind it. These machines are so ancient (think m2/m3), i wonder if things like that do happen. Any stronger answers i can get?
:bang:

 

[peter_n]

I think the motivation originally was security. Now you see full serial numbers more in pictures of gear and descriptions of items for sale. I think among collectors it is common to use the full serial nr. as prior to 2000 manufacturing records by serial nr. were kept by Leica. Probably the use of 1234xxx as a serial nr. format is the result of habit/inertia more than anything else. I do it myself. 😱

 

[emraphoto]

folks glean the serial number and then report the camera stolen. that was the original gig that resulted in folks not revealing serial numbers... even if you can prove the camera was yours (via purchase receipt etc.) it was a pain in the arse. the older leica's were perfect for this scam as they were usually a few generations old and thus sans purchase receipts or proof of ownership and still maintained a reasonable value worthy of the effort.