Is this a genuine Black Leica M2?

[Gavbo]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hi experts,

 

Is there anyway I can validate if this is a genuine black Leica m2/repaint by Leica/repaint by 3rd party? I know the followings

 

The serial is not on 'the list' of a black m2 but very close

The timer was replaced with a silver one when the original broke off
The leather of the body was replaced (some pealing on the edges and slight mismatched with the leather on the back door).

Someone told me the white leica engraving were too white compare with the writing on the aperture/shot counter to be a true original

Looks to be brass'ed naturally

The bubbling paint corrosion effects looks very similar to a genuine.

 

From what I know the genuine black Leica m2 also has the brass strap lugs and brassy back door. Could this be a repaint by Leica? 

 

 

Would appreciate any other inputs,

 

I got this from an old lady for an equivalent of 380 USD in Asia   

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Edited June 17, 2016 by Gavbo

[M9reno]

Not sure... seems to have a digital sensor inside.

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[wattsy]

[satijntje]

According to the summilux.net database, it concerns indeed a M2 that was fabricated in 1966.

John

[philipus]

The brassing looks in parts as that which I have seen on my black paint bodies, an M4 BP, a Leica II and an TTL Millennium.

 

In other parts - and here I am thinking of the patches that appear to have fallen off as "flakes" - the paint looks unnatural. I'm sure there are more knowledgeable members here, but based on my experience this is not the type of wear one would see, unless connected with a ding or bad scratch, because the paint sticks much better than that to the metal.

 

The paint used by Leica has varied over the years (there are a few discussions here and at RFF). My Leica II is shinier than my M4 which looks "duller". My M4 is from 1970 which is not much younger than your camera so likely they would have used the same type of paint. But your camera appears to be rather shiny so I doubt that it is a repaint by Leica. But send them an email or ring and ask; they might have some record somewhere.

 

br

Philip

[Frase]

The top plate looks ok the base looks quite new but-

from a chrome M2 self timer, hotshoe, shutter release collar, preview lever surround, back, flash plugs, strap lugs and what seems to be black chrome shutter speed dial. With a bit of an ebay hunt you could easily replace all those chrome parts for some nice black paint ones!

[250swb]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

It's a bit like my Grandad's old yard brush, he said he'd had it for sixty years and in that time it had only needed six new heads and four new handles.

 

I suspect this M2 is built up on what was originally a chrome body using a genuine BP top and bottom plate. Even with years of servicing it is hard to imagine why it would need a replacement shutter dial or frame counter dial, flash sockets etc. if it wasn't a 'bitsa'. Perhaps the BP came into a repairers and the body scraped, or at the time deemed unrepairable, some bits got lost or scavenged for other cameras over the years, then when the prices started to rise what was left of the original parts put on a working body. The chrome ASA dial and strap lugs give it away more than anything else, maybe the strap lugs got replaced for chrome at some time, but the rear door as well.........?

[NB23]

Not original.