Some info with regards to wax seals on M

[JNewell]

Not all Canadian made Leicas were labeled Midland. In fact most had the usual Germany markings.

How does that work, legally? I thought products had to be labeled with their country of origin...how do you make something in Canada that says Germany? (I am *not* trying to pick an argument, this is really a pure question!) 🙂

 

[Carzee]

All very interesting stuff.
My M2 has a black wax seal stamped "24" so that means either

1. it refers to the famous TV show.... so I think that seal means it was serviced by the LA CTU personnel during Ramadan (when the terrorists were quiet).

2. it refers to the Leitz prices, 24 carat prices, since thats where the lenses mount.

hmmm, which is it?

 

[adrianzg]

just found this list:

56: Serviced by Paepke Fototechnik
92: Serviced by DAG as well all know it.
24: ?
69: ?
A: Serviced by Alois Kosnar from Stockholm
C: Manufactured by Leitz Midland, Canada, rare sight
H: Serviced by Havel Camera, Texas, USA
J: Serviced by Mr Gerry Smith from Toronto
K: Serviced by Kanto Camera Service, Japan (Kanto Camera Service)
L: Raised letter, manufactured by Leitz up to M4-2 and did not include CL
L: Recessed letter, serviced by Leitz up to 1982 (?)
N: Serviced by Leitz New York
O: Unsure origin, mentioned on photo.net to be a service person from Adeleide, Australia.
S: Hand-engraved letter, serviced by Sherry Krauter

and those (translated in French) taken from "25 Jahre Leica Historica" :

A: Venzlaff, Athène/Grèce
B: Leitz, Londres/Grande Bretagne
C: Leitz, Milan/Italie
D: Tiranty, Paris/France
E: Brandt, Stockholm/Suède
F: Lutz Ferrando, Buenos Aires/Argentine
G: Cattaneo, Gênes/Italie
H: Schmitt, Hongkong
I: Taeuber, Le Cap/Afrique Sud
K: Kleiner, Rio de Janeiro/Brésil
M: Pablo Ferrando, Montevideo/Uruguay
N: Lackland, Aukland/Nlle. Zélande
O: Odin, Nijmwegen/Pays-Bas
P: Perrot, Biel/Suisse
Q: Parer, Sydney/Australie
R: Sanitas, Bogota/Colombie
S: Schmidt, Tokyo/Japon
T: Carveht, Toronto/Canada
U: Commercial Ultramar, Mexico/Mexique
V: Forestier, Valparaiso/Chili
W: Optoteknika, Vienne/Autriche
X: Fixit, Bagdad/Irak
Y: Leitz, New York/USA
Z: Reiss & Co., Jakarta/Malaisie

 

[Noserider]

In 97 I had R. Mueller do a CLA on my chrome M4, and I just checked the wax seal, there is no imprint, just wax. My DAG tuned BP M4 has 92 of course.

 

[sc_rufctr]

Old... But worthwhile and interesting. Enjoy 🙂

 

[Rangefinderfreak]

The canadian built M3's and M2's did have a slightly larger serial number size on the top-plate. There were a few that actually stated Made in Midland,Canada on the top, but these were very few (probably less than 100). I suspect that the seal at the time was the same as the German seal. The camera was made by Leitz, be it in Germany or Canada. It is possible that the raised or imprinted L indicated wether the camera had been serviced by Leica at some time. (Raised L for never opened and a counter sunk one for a factory service in Wetzlar/Midland). I dont know if this is the case, but some years ago I heard a speculation about it and it does make sense.
I am always worried about these seals. When I find a nice M2 with the original seal intact, that means that this camera is at least 40 years old and has never had a service! I deduct $150 from the price for a CLA immideately!

haha, TOM: You hit the nail in the head! Our new service guy in Helsinki said , when I insisted the M3 body should have the wax seal: I don`t want to use INGO`s seal ( the former leica expert repairman) The 44 is on the OTHER SIDE of the seal, now that you insisted it be there... way to go...!

 

[benmacphoto]

Looking to add to wax seals.
I recently picked up an M3 wth what looks like a "Y" wax seal.
If this is correct and it was serviced by Leitz New York, when did Leitz New York stop servicing cameras and when did they move to NJ?
I'm interested in knowing possibly how long ago the camera was serviced.

 

[irukandji]

Looking to add to wax seals.
I recently picked up an M3 wth what looks like a "Y" wax seal.
If this is correct and it was serviced by Leitz New York, when did Leitz New York stop servicing cameras and when did they move to NJ?
I'm interested in knowing possibly how long ago the camera was serviced.

I just picked up an M3 with the "Y" seal yesterday. I am interested to hear more about Leitz NY.

 

[cqing]

My recently acquired M5 has a "11" seal. The seller said it was serviced by Leica in Switzerland in the early 1980s.

 

[leicapixie]

My M5 required final assembly in South Africa.
It received a "J" for Johannesburg.
I see same for Gerry at Kinderman in Canada.

 

[zuiko85]

Just a plain black gob of wax on my M4-2. Until I discovered this thread I never even checked. My camera shutter had lost all speeds below 1/15 but YYe sorted it out about 3 years ago. Camera still works fine.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

OK... My M4-2 is with J now for very obvious reason. And I just checked mine M3 DS ELC. It looks like C....

 

[kangaroo2012]

I have an M4 completely rebuilt by Charles Bridgewood in Adelaide and he used 69 as a seal code.

 

[shawn]

Just to add to this I thought my 1960 M3 had a 32 as the seal but after getting out the macro lens it is actually a recessed L.

Shawn

 

[iphoenix]

My M4 & M4P were both serviced by Ernest Cesar at Camera Electronic, Perth, Australia and both show a raised "C". I suspect the "C" in this case was his surname initial, rather than his employer.
Regrettably, Ernest has now retired. He did superb work.