The "junk" M2 that turned out to be something different

[Muju79]

A few weeks ago I bid on a M2 sold as "junk" on the Japanese Yahoo Auction website. The seller was not giving any detail other than the camera condition was "untested" and provided just 4 pics showing top, sides and bottom of the M2.

I was attracted by the fairly late serial number (1163xxx)...Long story short, I won the auction and when the M2 was delivered I noticed that it came with the M4 loading system. Aesthetically it was all good but shutter speeds were off so I sent it out to Cameraworks for a CLA and in the meanwhile I did some research.

To my surprise I realised this is actually a M2 KS15 belonging to a batch of little less than 900 units never sold to the public, made on special order of the US Army during Vietnam war times. Clearly, the seller had no idea about this given the extremely low asking price (the auction started from 1 yen!!!).

A shout out to the guys at Cameraworks: they had to do some extra work to bring back this lady to its original splendour (shutter speeds were not the only issue at all) and didn't charge one pound more than the advertised price for a M-body CLA. Great experience with them and I'm sure I'll use their services again.

 

[lynnb]

Great find, congratulations!

 

[Mr_Flibble]

If you're talking about Cameraworks-UK, Alan & James Starkie do great work! Congratulations on your find 🙂

 

[jsrockit]

So, the total spent was?

 

[Muju79]

Thanks guys!
That's correct, Cameraworks-UK.
The grand total was about 1/3 of what a mint M2-R goes for these days. Can't compare it to other KS15 as they don't show up frequently, hence their prices seem to be all over the places.

 

[Out to Lunch]

So, the total spent was?

 

[brbo]

Less than what OP (or "market") thinks it's worth and more than a "normal" fully functioning M2 that you can use straight out of the box...

 

[Muju79]

A little less than 1k $ in total so...no, you are wrong.

Less than what OP (or "market") thinks it's worth and more than a "normal" fully functioning M2 that you can use straight out of the box...

 

[Out to Lunch]

Good for you. Dollars aside, I hope you will enjoy the camera.

 

[Muju79]

Thanks.
It's going to be used like it deserves to, no question, I am not a collector.

Good for you. Dollars aside, I hope you will enjoy the camera.

 

[zuiko85]

The M2 is such a clean minimal Leica. Especially with the faster loading kit. Sounds like you got a lovely camera for a very reasonable amount. I spent in total more getting my pedestrian M4-2 sorted.

 

[brbo]

A little less than 1k $ in total so...no, you are wrong.

If you have trouble finding a sub $1K M2 in fully functioning condition... then you are REALLY picky. So, I guess the right person won the special serial number lottery. If it was me, I wouldn't have the faintest idea and would be just annoyed that the camera has a problem...

 

[Muju79]

Well, luckily it's not you 😉

If you have trouble finding a sub $1K M2 in fully functioning condition... then you are REALLY picky. So, I guess the right person won the special serial number lottery. If it was me, I wouldn't have the faintest idea and would be just annoyed that the camera has a problem...

 

[brbo]

Well, luckily it's not you 😉

That’s just what I said... 😉

 

[johannielscom]

Pictures of the camera or it didn't happen!

😀

 

[Muju79]

Pictures of the camera or it didn't happen!

😀

Here you go!

https://imgur.com/a/PnPtKwX

 

[Paulbe]

Wow!! Nice camera! A great find--congrats--and I'd surely keep an eye on those strap lugs--they are getting thin!
Paul

 

[Muju79]

Wow!! Nice camera! A great find--congrats--and I'd surely keep an eye on those strap lugs--they are getting thin!
Paul

Thank you very much for the heads-up, cheers!

 

[jonmanjiro]

Here you go!

https://imgur.com/a/PnPtKwX

Drool...

Gorgeous cam (and lens!), Gio! Congrats on a really interesting find at a great price.

 

[Muju79]

Thank you John, I'll introduce you guys soon 😉

Drool...

Gorgeous cam (and lens!), Gio! Congrats on a really interesting find at a great price.