Cut of serial numbers for M4-P with out Zinc top?

[johnastovall]

It's been suggested I look at the M4-P for a working analogue M-body (no batteries need apply). It was also suggested I look for an early serial number without the zinc top.

When was the cut off for the zinc top? I don't see a mention of it in Gandy's list of M serial numbers?

[k_g_wolf]

The exact No. is hard to come by, but the M4-P with zinc-top - only a fewhundred to onethousand - came out in 1984 I think, shortly before the M6 appeared. Serielnumbers are thus a bit below the first M6.

I have one here (No. 164983X) from a batch in 1984/ 85, and you can easily tell the zinc- top from the flush vf-glass, same as M6.

The first M 6- batch had Nos. starting with 1657 251.

If another 1984- M4- P range from 1642 551 to 1643 750 was supplied with zinc- tops I don´t know, but I doubt it. These and all the earlier ones, below
no. 1642 551, should have the brass-top.

With the M4- P personally I wouldn´t mind about zinc or non- zinc. My one with the M6- zinc-cover works like a charm. Never had any problems with it, unlike the M4- 2 ...


Best
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You can find all these figures in >>Dennis Laney, LEICA Collector´s Guide, Hove Books, 1992<<