Sloppy engraving on Leica III Model F???

[bbutterfield]

Just purchased this amazing Model F and I'm wondering about the top panel engraving which looks sloppy to me; see photos. I do realize that this can be an indication of a fake Leica but I'm pretty sure this is the real thing -- if I could buy a Zorki that feels this good and handles like this I'd save myself some money. Anyway, what do you folks think?

Also, the thing I like most about this particular camera is the shutter sound -- it really whispers, especially compared to my IIIc and IIIf which to me have a louder, more metallic sound. Great cameras all, but I now have a new favorite.

 

[KismetSky]

Looks like an original 1936 Leica III in black paint with nickel hardware. The wear around the engravings definitely exacerbates the thinner more dainty script but it certainly looks legitimate to me.

 

[Hari]

My Leica II (black) shows the same type of degraded
engraving; it's because of the black paint wearing in
spots. It's the real thing.

 

[Nitroplait]

What the others have said.
Further more; It is my understanding that the engravings of early Leica's are not filled with paint, but Wood's metal. There may be some corrosion along the edges causing the black paint to flake.

 

[neal3k]

Must be OK. Here is my II (D). Maybe mine is in better shape but the black is still quite different from the chrome ones. I really like the black ones.

Leica II (D) by Neal Wellons, on Flickr

 

[bbutterfield]

Perfect, thanks for the responses. It's also interesting that the engraved text changes over time (D.R.P above/below Ernst Leitz, etc.)

 

[xayraa33]

There is something very cool looking in original factory black paint Barnack Leicas.