What am I looking at?

[Waus]

http://www.marktplaats.nl/a/audio-tv-en-foto/fotografie-camera-s-analoog/m908179171-leica-1930-prototype-met-elmar-50mm-f3-5-body-nummer-22401.html?c=efb2ef4dc323389c4f92ed10afa33e3a&previousPage=lr

Seller (no connection whatsoever)says it's a prototype-serialnr. points to a Leica 1a, but this camera doesn't look right. Engravings are strange, and the shutterspeed dial looks really odd to me. Any opinions? The lens is of a much later date.

 

[awbphotog]

I'm no expert but it looks like a Russian clone to me.

 

[Erik van Straten]

It is a very early conversion from a Leica I (black) into a Leica II (chrome). I think the conversion was done in about 1933 because of the style of engraving. It is certainly not a Russian clone. Genuine Leica.

Erik.

 

[awbphotog]

I rescind my assumption!

 

[Erik van Straten]

I looked again and now I hesitate. The engraving is very clumsy. It could be a scraped black original Leica that is chromed and engraved by a third party.

The speed dial indeed looks odd. A very strange camera indeed. The lens is probably a post war conversion as it has the newer f-stop numbers.

Erik.

 

[Dralowid]

The moulding around the shutter speed dial, and the dial itself is like an early pre war Fed. They also had collimation holes and the 'kick' round the viewfinder window. Not sure what it is but will ponder further.

Michael

 

[Dralowid]

Second thought, I think it is a Leica...maybe.