Leica II (Model D) - slightly confused

[bill]

In a moment of weakness, I pulled the trigger on this II (D) just before Christmas:

Leica Black "D" Model II Camera #41792 and Very Clean on eBay, also Leica, 35mm Rangefinder, Film Cameras, Cameras Photo (end time 17-Dec-07 03:40:04 GMT)

It found it's way to me today. It is exactly as described, and, notwithstanding some apparent stickiness at 1/20, seems fully functional. The view and rangefinders are clear, and the shutter curtains appear straight and true, I'll run a roll through it this weekend and check the results.

My question, however, relates to the serial #.

According to the Hove Pocket Book (7th Ed.), the serial number (41792) would make it a 1930 Model I, which it patently isn't. It all *looks* authentic - not a Russian copy, unless I am very much mistaken - the engraving is right, and the patina is as I would expect.

So what gives? Can anyone explain?

Regards,

Bill

[doubice]

Bill,

It indeed is a 'real' Model II. Leitz, for many years, offered upgrades of older models into current ones. So - you can find a Model II with a I serial number, Model III with a II serial number, many IIIc's were factory converted into IIIf's, there even are Model III's converted into fully synchronized IIIf's.

What you have is a Model II, which started its life as a Model I. The conversion would have taken place probably during the early 1930's or, immediately after the introduction of the II, since all the fittings on the camera appear to be nickel plated. Later Model II's had Chrome plated fittings and all later conversions adopted the chrome fittings as well.

There are even Leica collectors who specialize in these conversions.......

All the best,

Jan

P.S. Again - happy that Luigi is in deep sleep at this time (hopefully) I am quite sure that when he gets up, he'll add some more info......

[bill]

Thank you Jan

I never thought of an upgrade!

How intriguing. I buy these things to use, not to lock away. The thought that I can take decent photos (the idiot pressing the button notwithstanding) with something approaching it's 80th birthday, "upgraded" by modern emulsions and modern glass is quite thrilling. It is a beautiful jewel of a thing, incredibly tactile, that resonates back to an age when "planned obsolescence" was a thing of the future.

If, as the serial number suggests, it was really fabricated in 1930, the world was a very different place...

Popular Culture

• FILM All Quiet on the Western Front
• SONG Three Little Words Duke Ellington
• SONG Strike up the band Red Nichols
• The US Population reaches 123 million
• Frozen Foods are sold commercially for the first time

What Events Happened in 1930

• The United States embarks on an ambitious programme of Public Works to regenerate the economy including the building of the Boulder Dam ( Hoover Dam )
• Mohandas Gandhi informs British viceroy of India that civil disobedience would begin in demonstration against British rule.
• Following the Wall Street Crash 1350 banks in the US fail
• UK Unemployment Reaches 1 million
• US Unemployment is 8.7% of the population
• The Empire State Building Opens ( Chrysler Building )
• Alphonse Capone ( Scarface ) gangster is jailed for income tax evasion
• Uruguay wins the 1930 World Cup in Uruguay defeating Argentina

Technology

• Amy Johnson lands in Darwin Australia, becoming the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia
• For the first time anywhere in the world, a television drama is broadcast. The drama is a production of Luigi Pirandello's The Man With the Flower in His Mouth; it is broadcast by the BBC from Baird's studios at 133 Long Acre, London.
• Frank Whittle patents the Jet Engine
• Sliced bread Goes on Sale in England for the first time
• The Crysler Building in New York is Completed
• Clyde Tombaugh Discovers Pluto the ninth planet in our solar system
  
  Inventions Invented by Inventors and Country ( or attributed to First Use )
  Jet Engine England by Frank Whittle
  Sticky Tape USA
  Frozen Food USA Clarence Birdseye

How fascinating!

I shall run a roll of film through it at the weekend just to see how it runs, then most likely treat it to a CLA.

One further question - any ideas about the white dot on the back? It's professionally done, "let in" to the vulcanite seamlessly. It seems to be made of bakelite or something. I wondered if it was a place to write your film details with a chinagraph pencil, but that seems prone to being rubbed off as soon as you use it. Maybe a form of thumb rest? Any thoughts?

Regards,

Bill

[jc_braconi]

Hello Bill,

Looks like it has been added a flash plug just under the accessory shoe, that is not, also a Leica II feature.
The white dot is may be to place an advertising sticker about the US (re)saler.

Cheers
JC

[bill]

Thanks JC. Again, I hadn't thought of that!

Regards,

Bill