winding IIIa heavier than IIf?

[laptoprob]

My newly assembled IIIa - with missing window rings - is quite a lot heavier to cock than the IIf. That one winds sooo smoothly. Is that all lubrication or are the older ones simply less smooth? Because of lack of ball bearings perhaps?

 

[dee]

My 1933 black II is as easy and delicate to wind as my cla IIIc ...

 

[burninfilm]

I would say that your IIIa needs some attention.

The IIIa I used to own was incredibly smooth, in fact, I could operate the winding knob with the side of my finger, allowing for a very quick film advance. On a side note, when I first operated the camera, I thought it wasn't cocking the shutter since it worked so effortlessly. Needless to say, the pre-war Leicas are also very smooth.

 

[Xmas]

Sand in your pre WWII leicia

Noel