The Garage Sale Leica Exists!

Mudman

Well-known
Local time
1:58 AM
Joined
Dec 10, 2007
Messages
1,432
Location
Saratoga Springs
I posted about finding this in the "Oldest Leica" thread, but thought it deserved its own post. I wandered into a garage sale yesterday and found a Leica Model A at the bottom of a box. They wanted $10 for it, and granted it's a bit rough I know its worth more than that. I told the woman that lived there that, and all she said was "The price is the price, if you're getting a good deal that's great." I also bought a Linhof Super Technika III from 1946 with 3 4x5 backs for $41. The Linhof needs work as well.

I've always heard of people finding these cool cameras at garage sales, but I've never done it myself. The closest I've come is a junk store find of my Rolleiflex for $40 and Rolleicord for $25.

Photos of my "new" Leica from 1929 by the serial number. I know that the shutter knob has been replaced, and the camera has obviously been chromed. Any other changes? It even came with replacement camera leather. The shutter fires, though I have no idea of accuracy or how the shutter curtain looks. Definitely needs a trip to my local repairman. Is it worth the cost of a CLA (he charges $125 to service, $140 total if he needs to replace the curtains)? I haven't got the foggiest clue of what a Model A would go for in this condition.

photo-4web.jpg


photo-2web.jpg


photo-5web.jpg


photo-3web.jpg
 
I'd say it's definitely worth the CLA -- and the price you were quoted is quite reasonable if your local guy does good work. You'll be able to see it for much more than the cost of the CLA. Alas, I've never really seen more than Brownies at garage sales...
 
You can get an idea what these models go for here: http://collectiblend.com/Cameras/Leitz/Leica-I-Mod-A-(5-digits-Number).html

Condition is probably worse than 'C' and I'd suspect the fact that it was chromed would reduce the collectors value as well as a new skin. Might still be worth more than CLA but hey, I guess it will be a nice shooter once it has been sorted out...
 
Well sounds good. I'll bring it to my repairman next week. I'm not planning on selling it, but also don't want to sink money into something if it wasn't worth it. Truth be told I'm really curious to see what it's like to shoot. Wish I had a range finder for it. Guess hyperfocal or bust 😛
 
Congrats! Great find! You should have her serviced and then enjoy the heck out of it: from the story, it obviously has your name written all over it. That alone would be worth a good service job, if only to keep the Camera Gods happy 🙂

Cheers,
Derk
 
If it shoots well, I would have it dechromed down to the Nickel, and repainted the right parts in black. restore it to its original form just for the kicks of it...
 
If it shoots well, I would have it dechromed down to the Nickel, and repainted the right parts in black. restore it to its original form just for the kicks of it...

I wouldn't try that if I were you. The original finish is almost impossible to duplicate. The parts were black enameled (with paint that seems more durable than anything I can find today), and THEN engraved. Wood's metal was then melted into the fresh engraving. From the pictures, it appears that the edges of the engravings are worn round, presumably from preparing the surface for chroming; and more work on the metal surfaces will possibly erase the engravings altogether. I'd get a new cover from Cameraleather, a correct shutter speed dial if you can find one, overhaul the mechanics as needed, and just enjoy it.

Cheers,
Dez
 
Back
Top Bottom