Leica LTM What is this Leica?

[sparrow6224]

See attached, or go to
http://www.ebay.com/itm/172907576260?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649

On eBay currently, listed as a Leica I -- black, but it looks like a II. Except it has a front button covering the spot where slow speed dial would be, like later II's (a, b, c, f, etc) while the Leica II simply didn't have the dial. SN 31286 indicates indeed a 1930 Leica I.

Note that if someone took the final digit off, so it was really 318,26*, that wouild INDEED be a Leica II from 1939.

Some kind of fakery going on? Am I confused? Both are always possible of course.

Nice looking camera and lens in any case.

 

[a.noctilux]

As stated :
[
Leica I schwarz mit Elmar 3.5/50mm

# 31 826, modifiziert

]
Leica I modified to Leica II

interesting that the lens is later Elmar Red Scale
not period correct.

See https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102891
for Red Scale Elmar

For me not a fake.
Nice kit to use if slow speed set is not to be used.

 

[Rob-F]

I think a.noctilux nailed it, but a good place to post this would be in Jim Lager's section. I don't know if Jim would have very much to add to the above--but you never know.

 

[sparrow6224]

Thank you guys. So what would they do, put a whole new top on it? the innards remain the same? then again, I thought the innards from I to II already remained the same and what changed was the top. And the SN is on the big viewfinder/rangefinder tower that the 1 wouldn't have had, no? I should go read my Puts on this but I'm being lazy. I apologize if the question is annoying...

 

[Rob-F]

They do indeed put a new top plate. The "innards" require the addition of the range/viewfinder.