Giuliobigazzi Posted August 3, 2016 Share #1 Posted August 3, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello all, reaching out to your collective knowledge as I've reached a wall with this one.. What I know is it is a specialite' Tiranty from 1937. Produced for the French market. The confusing part is on the rear there are his majesty's government engravings. British stamps.. The base plate is also in English. Did it start life in France and then taken to Britain and subsequently bought by the government? Maybe used in the British embassy in France? 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! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/263148-leica-iiia-mystery/?do=findComment&comment=3090024'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 3, 2016 Posted August 3, 2016 Hi Giuliobigazzi, Take a look here Leica IIIa mystery. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
willeica Posted August 3, 2016 Share #2 Posted August 3, 2016 At page 38 of his Leica Collector's Guide, Dennis Laney showed an advertisement from Wallace Heaton saying that 'The RAF needs you Leica or Contax now'. This was a scheme whereby the British Government (more specifically the Ministry of Aircraft Production) would pay a good price, via a dealer such as Wallace Heaton, for a 'civilian' Leica or Contax, which would then be put into military use. I am not sure how successful the scheme was, but this adds another possible theory about the origins and use of this camera. Your theory about the British Embassy in Paris is equally valid, of course. William Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
harryzet Posted August 3, 2016 Share #3 Posted August 3, 2016 if the raf had bought this camera, should it not have the arrow? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikemgb Posted August 3, 2016 Share #4 Posted August 3, 2016 if the raf had bought this camera, should it not have the arrow? I was wondering that, my father was RAF and I never saw an item they owned that didn't have the broad arrow. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
willeica Posted August 3, 2016 Share #5 Posted August 3, 2016 if the raf had bought this camera, should it not have the arrow? I thought that somebody would mention that. Any RAF Leicas I have seen have had that arrow. Assuming the engraving on the camera is not faked, this could have been anywhere in British Government service during WW II, or before or after. I mentioned the Laney piece as evidence of Leicas being transferred from civilian use to Government or military use. It would be interesting if somebody had the broader story. In particular, it would be useful if somebody has another Leica with 'H.M. Govt.' engraved on the back of the top plate. William Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
harryzet Posted August 3, 2016 Share #6 Posted August 3, 2016 here is the announcement 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! 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/263148-leica-iiia-mystery/?do=findComment&comment=3090228'>More sharing options...
Giuliobigazzi Posted August 15, 2016 Author Share #7 Posted August 15, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've been scrutinising the camera and have found some markings inside the baseplate. A '4' stamp near the open/close. 'U072 scratched in by hand, and Z23 written in graphite on both inside base of body and baseplate. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giuliobigazzi Posted September 13, 2016 Author Share #8 Posted September 13, 2016 UPDATE The factory records have been checked.Camera 251562 was delivered as Leica model IIIa to Tiranty (the french Leica importer at the time) with shipment number 2470, on August 20th 1937. The H.M Govt indicates purchase from tiranty by the British Royal Navy. After the invasion in1938 they were no longer able to buy from tiranty and thus asked the public to send theirs in with a view to return them after the war. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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