['Cron]

All:

You should consider investing in James L. Lager's authorative and illustrated book trilogy concerning Leica. :-)

From Leica An Illustrated History, Volume III - Accessories (Meridian 1998) a quick answer is found:

"When the Leica M3 arrived in 1954, Metrawatt obliged by producing the Leica Meter M. The [Leica-Meter] MC was announced in 1956, the MR in 1963 and the MR-4 in 1967. The MR-4 was cataloged well into the late 1980's." Lager at p. 244.

Jim Lager does not list any serial numbers for the various models. Neither does Dennis Laney in his Leica Collectors Guide (Hove 1992). However, Laney gives the Leica part number for the Leica-Meter MR as part 14210, with an introduction date of 1966 (later than Lager), and the Leica-Meter MR-4 as part 14217 (chrome) and part 14218 (black chrome) with an introduction dates of 1967 and 1968 respectively. See, Laney at page 240.

The difference in dates between the two authors/historians for the MR is cannot be explained. Laney appears to have his date for the MR (1966) wrong. Lager's date of 1963 is supported by the Leica Catalog, No. 37, which was published by E.Leitz [NY], Inc., on or shortly after May 1, 1964.

Leica Catalog No. 37 (Effective May 1, 1964) lists the Leica-Meter MR (part 14210) at a retail price of $48.00. The preceding Leica Catalog No. 36 (August 1961) lists only the MC, and not the MR.

Note that Metrawatt and Leitz cooperated on the early Leica Meter, which was introduced in 1950, which was followed by the Model 2 and 3 Leica Meters for thread mount Leicas. See, Lager at p. 242. At least you know between certain years as to when your particular Leica-Meter (M, MC, MR, MR-4) was produced.

Best Regards,

Bill - Clearwater, FL