Summicron 50 Rigid paper spacer - ???

[Benjamin Marks]

Folks:

Just purchased a rigid 50 Summicron -- it appears to have a paper spacer under the front element retaining ring (the one with the printing/serial number). It is a little eccentric and peeking out a little on one side of the front element. Any idea what this is? I can remove it easily enough, but it looks like it should be sitting under the retaining ring. Any intrepid lens aficionados out there. Recommendations?

 

[ferider]

Most Leica lenses have that, I assume to protect the front element from damage by the beauty ring. A bit harder than paper though. When you take it out, remember the direction it was in there.

Roland.