Wartime leica?

[splitimageview]

Sent him a pm on here. Not sure if it's better to email.

Not sure he is on here much, but he has responded quickly to my emails.

 

[marekbjj]

From what little can be discerned from the photos, it looks like a pukka III or IIIa (Cameraquest lists it as a 1939 IIIa)- the viewfinder window is stepped below the top plate, rather than flush as on a Fed. Check that the rangefinder arm has a roller bearing, rather than a plain shoe. Who knows where the engraving came from, although it looks suspiciously fresh compared to the Leica logo and serial number. If you want it, value it as a straight IIIa with Summar(?) and tape over the engraving unless you’re into WWII re-enactments.

Yeah the photos are terrible. I figured I'd try to research first, the guy is a bit of a drive away from me.

I'm honestly not sure what these guys should be worth.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I've found in Lagers book Illustrated Guide II (1978) on page 233 that grey painted cameras occur between serial numbers 387501 and 388925.

Cameras with a ball-bearing shutter are engraved a "K" after the serial number.

However, I'm quite sure that mine has a ball bearing shutter (you can feel that when tensioning the shutter), although there is no "K" after the serial number. I think a "K" only appears on military cameras as this was a prescription. Mine was a civilian camera.

Erik.

 

[David Hughes]

To add to the fun, 387 598 is on the Summilux.net website as 1941 but perhaps 1942, thus:-

"Le boîtier portant le numéro de série 387598 est un IIIc fabriqué en 1941

Note : Peut aussi avoir fabriqu en 1942"

Suggesting a batch held back for some reason...

Regards, David

 

[marekbjj]

but my strong suggestion would be to contact Jim Lager. He is a moderator on this site and has his own section - hopefully he is still active within it.

Thanks for this information.

 

[marekbjj]

Looks like it’s trying to be a Kriegsmarine (Navy) Leica (which did in fact have the Reichsadler engraved on it). According to Jim Lager in his book, ‘Wehrmacht Leica’, “Determining authenticity of any Kriegsmarine engraving is next to impossible as the Leitz delivery records offer no mention of naval application.” Additionally, “Leica cameras and lenses bearing such markings must be evaluated individually when attempting to determine authenticity.”

The serial number does put it in the general ballpark and the markings are what would suggest Kriegsmarine (the M is for Marine), but my strong suggestion would be to contact Jim Lager. He is a moderator on this site and has his own section - hopefully he is still active within it.

What you said is quite in line with Jim told me.

he said "You have a Leica engraved with governmental/military markings. ... Research is still continuing trying to get the exact significance (of the M marking). In my book "Wehrmacht Leica" I illustrate Leica IIIa 340792 with M103 in the same bold font."

With that, I decided to go on a limb and pick up the camera. If anyone interested the Summitar is 520911.

 

[splitimageview]

Interesting...could be authentic, likely, even.

Summitar is uncoated I presume?

 

[marekbjj]

Correct it is uncoated.