Leica iii serial numbers for black enamel bodies

#Leica iii serial numbers for black enamel bodies serial number#

The example shown here in nicely distressed gold, bears the serial number 0547, which would theoretically make it a Leica I (model A) of 1925-except that Leitz never added a zero preceding the actual serial number it would have been engraved вЂњNo. Leitz Wetzlar 50mm f/3.5 Elmars? Well, you can easily tell that theyвЂ™re not genuine Leica IIвЂ™s by carefully examining little details like their top shutter speed dial engravings, lack of a real leather covering, etc., but the clincher is the serial numbers, which are fanciful to say the least. What about all those zillions of USSR-made Feds and Zorkis bearing nicely engraved Leica logos, and fitted with collapsible 50mm f/3.5 Industar lenses masquerading as E. (Flieger) number on the top and added the words Luftwaffen Eigentum (property of the Air Force) to the back covering of a genuine but ordinary Leica IIIc to try to fob it off at an inflated price as a Luftwaffe Leica (this has actually happened!) a quick check of the serial number and the shipping records will reveal the deception. For example, if some nefarious fraudster has engraved an Fl. One of the cameras included here, Leica serial number 150, began life as an ultra-rare Leica I (Model A) with 50mm f/3.5 Leitz Anastigmat lens and us now a gorgeous black finished Leica IIIa UMBAU-still a rare and valuable collectorвЂ™s item but probably worth a lot less after the conversion.ДЄnother wonderful thing about the great Leica serial number list is that it lets you spot fakes pretty easily. This acronym replaced the older DRP, 'Deutsches Reichs-Patent', after the German Federal Republic was established in 1949. Leitz Wetzlar added a newly engraved top to a post-War вЂњUMBAUвЂќ Leica they retained the original serial number, but also added the letters DBP, which stands for 'Deusches Bundes-Patent', German Federal Patent. Ergo, itвЂ™s now a model III, thus the confusion. In other words, the serial number indicates it's a Leica I (model A) but the cameraВ has a built-in rangefinder, a slow shutter speed dial on the front, and neck strap lugs. This amazing service (see price schedules attached) was emblematic of LeicaвЂ™s dedication to its customers and probably generated little, if any, extra revenue.Дuring the 1930s especially, but also right after the War, many Leica cameras were upgraded to later models. If one identifies a Leica by serial number in the deliver records only, the entered number may not match the camera in hand.вЂќДЄnother possible sources of serial number discrepancies were the so-called вЂњUMBAU,вЂќ or factory upgraded, Leicas. The persons writing them may not have been fully trained or familiar with process. Many 1944 entries are unreadable, chaotic,В and perhaps, given the dire circumstances in Germany at the time, were entered under duress. However, there are entries whereВ the penmanship varies from unreadable to perfect, usually doneВ by hand in ink by different writers. However as with most great things, the Leica serial number list is not perfect, especially if you check it against the actual handwritten delivery records as Leica historians are wont to do.ДЄccording to acclaimed Leica historian James Lager, вЂњRegarding the serial numbers entered into the delivery records, theВ work is very carefully done and precise.

Compared to LeicaвЂ™s the serial number list of that great Japanese camera company can charitably be described as chaotic and discontinuous, so itвЂ™s often difficult to identify, say, a Canon rangefinder 35 of the вЂ50s or вЂ60s conclusively without assessing its features. If youвЂ™re not impressed with LeicaвЂ™s almost compulsive (Germanic?) dedication to order in creating its widely published serial number list, consider for example, Canon.

Indeed, one of its greatest accomplishments is the comprehensive sequential list of serial numbers, models, and dates that allows Leica fans, collectors, and historians to identify virtually any genuine Leica with a high degree of certainty. Leitz, Wetzlar and Leica Camera from the very beginning.

Keeping meticulous production records has been an integral part of the corporate culture of E. The numerical digits on your Leica can establish your cameraвЂ™s provenance, and a lot more.

Leica iii serial numbers for black enamel bodies