What did I just buy? Leica I

[B-9]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/222410700777

Found this late last night as I was conking out,

Threw a conservative bid on it and forgot about it until lunch today at work,

Having a minute or so left I bumped by bid up while attempting some quick research, well I'd rather eat my lunch while ya'll feed me the info I'm after!

Thanks in advance!

 

[benmacphoto]

Ha I had my eye on this camera.
I thought of fixing it up, but the money that would have gone into it is going to another project now.

 

[Calzone]

Devin,

I might have a spare window from my M6 in my box of parts that I can snail-mail you that might be good to replace the cracked glass on your "new" camera's VF'er.

I much admire your spirit for evil projects like this. I love the history and the sense of mystery that is part of your new camera's character.

Sherry unexpectedly changed the windows on my M6, and the new windows are definately an improvement.

Cal

 

[B-9]

Cal your to kind! I'll keep that in mind and give you a shout when and if I need it. Thanks bud!

Now that I have a Orange IIc and a lovely chrome M8 I couldn't resist poking around for a Standand. Ive wanted one for so long but always kept clear at the prices I've always seen.

The paint looks super rough... so MAYBE I'll have a Orangie 2.0!

 

[Livesteamer]

Congratulations! I'm glad you got it. It looks rough but I bet you can get it going and they are fun to use. I have a Leica 1 from 1929, this is a later camera. That means you can use an original lens or a later one. Dag should have the parts you need. I bet inside it's not as bad as it looks. Good Luck, Joe

 

[B-9]

Joe, Thanks!

I appreciate your commentary on its potential age!

The serial number is beyond recognition, although I suspect It's just oxidation and primer dust. I can faintly make out the existence of the body plug in the back. Could you say if this might be a Model C? (Projecting my wants here lol)

The Elmar is #147110

 

[Calzone]

Joe, Thanks!

I appreciate your commentary on its potential age!

The serial number is beyond recognition, although I suspect It's just oxidation and primer dust. I can faintly make out the existence of the body plug in the back. Could you say if this might be a Model C? (Projecting my wants here lol)

The Elmar is #147110

Devin,

Body plug would be an earlier body I believe. Also it is hard to tell if the knobs are nickel or chrome. Somewhere in the later 30's Leica switched to chrome. Patina looks to be nickel to me.

I had an early Model "F" Leica II that had no plug, but nickel knobs.

Anyways I love all the character.

Cal

 

[jn053]

It might be a 1932 Leica Standard. The lens serial is consistent with that year and so is the shutter curtain overlap. Body serials were 101001-106000 but I wasn't able to make out six distinct digits from the image. In any case, you'll know the serial # if you ever take the top off. If so be careful unscrewing the shroud below the shutter dial; looks like it might be a bearcat. Aki Asahi can do a covering for that camera if you ask him. The rear plug hole is pre-cut but you have to add the holes for the front body screws. Your standard revolving punch tool has the correct size. Agreed, check with DAG for he VF part.

All in all a good project. Congrats.

 

[B-9]

Thanks a ton that's really helpful!

 

[B-9]

What skin would be reccomended?

Many Thanks!

 

[jn053]

Aki did the covering for my1932 Leica II in pattern 4008. You really can't go wrong with it.

 

[B-9]

Photo or it didn't happen? 😉

 

[Dralowid]

The large rewind knob suggests a Leica I (C) but the square accessory shoe implies a Standard (E).

I can't remember the date when the accessory shoe became squareish as per this example, as mentioned '32 seems a good bet. I have seen Leica Is with square shoes. Lens is 32/33 methinks.

The covering is not original. You could go back to original vulcanite but that would involve a long and expensive trip to the UK. Personally I'd start by cleaning (not polishing) the whole thing very carefully and seeing how it looks before deciding on a course of action. Who knows, with a gentle clean and perhaps even sticking what is left of the covering back down it may well 'look the part' in an 'oily rag' sort of way.

As to the mechanics, time will tell!

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Looks like a 5-digit serial number on the body. 1932-ish would be in the ballpark

 

[David Hughes]

The Elmar could be 1933, the well known French site suggests a range of dates and 1933 seems the most likely.

I'll second the clean it and see what you find motion but I often wonder why people don't dust things before putting them on ebay. OTOH, would you have got it if it was clean and a serious bidding war had started?

Regards, David

 

[B-9]

I would have never bid if it was clean.

Now I have to many 50's lol (my sanity speaking)

 

[Mr_Flibble]

No such thing as too many 50s 😉

 

[Calzone]

Devin,

I located the M6 windows last night if you need them.

Cal

 

[Dralowid]

The Elmar could be 1933, the well known French site suggests a range of dates and 1933 seems the most likely.

Regards, David

David,

Odd that 'the well known French site' straddled the lens serial number but didn't get a direct hit. I've not seen that before.

Michael

 

[radi(c)al_cam]

Odd that 'the well known French site' straddled the lens serial number but didn't get a direct hit. I've not seen that before.

Weird, indeed.

But: cf. http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=159334&highlight=camserials.org

Let's hope that Artingei will solve that mystery soon 🙂