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Securing Leica in Display Case


fstop

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I have acquired a Leica II from 1932 (I think) with the 50 Hektor. It is all in very, very fine condition, and everything works flawlessly. My plan for this kit is to put it in a small acrylic (plexi) display case. My question is: What material could I use to secure the camera to the base of the case so it does not slide around inside when moved? I don't want to use any glues or tapes (obviously), nor do I want to use so-called "museum wax," as I know from experience that this substance can leave an ugly stain when removed. Any ideas out there?

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Drill a hole in the bottom of the case for a screw the size of the tripod screw and fasten using either a stud or a countersunk T-nut. Countersink using a forster bit.

 

I am presuming the base is wood.

Edited by pico
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Sadly, base is not wood, but also acrylic.

 

Poor choice. Stone would also work. So would opaque black acrylic.

You are on your own.

Acrylic, IMHO, is an unfortunate choice. Glass with a wood base is better.

 

Very best of luck!

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Yes, I thought the same thing when I first saw it. And it may be so. However, I purchased it from the third owner, and he provided copies of all sales receipts going back to the original owner (in Zurich, 1933), as well as all available repair receipts (two visits to Wetzlar, one visit to a local technician in New York City in 1959). Nothing about a repaint in any of those papers. Still, it may be a repaint, as you said. The lens, however, is not, and it, too, is flawless both cosmetically and mechanically.

 

pico . . . I am not married to the idea of acryllic, but I have been unable to find a source for a glass display case with wooden or stone bottom. Do you know of a source for such? Thanks.

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pico . . . I am not married to the idea of acryllic, but I have been unable to find a source for a glass display case with wooden or stone bottom. Do you know of a source for such? Thanks.

 

Here is a start.

http://www.collectingwarehouse.com/Product-Home-Page/Clear-Acrylic-Box-Display-Case-with-Hardwood-Bases/

 

One quite specific with opaque base

http://www.storefixture.com/P-16160/Collectible-Display-Case-Opens-with-Lift-Off-Top

 

And to finish my earlier post, a wood base can be made that fits inside your chosen case. Then it can be drilled as I mentioned earlier.

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Thank you very much, pico. I have no idea why my many searches on the web did not turn these up. I probably wasn't specific enough!

 

You are very welcome. Enjoy your project without paying attention to the detractors.

 

No, I do not display valuables, but I do hide them. :) Be happy.

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Not necessarily to the subject of this post, two remarks on Hektor on the photos:

- I understand that the camera was originally purchased in Zurich. I would assume that the distance scale will be in meter. Most probably the lens mount has been replaced during repair in US. Is there any record on this in the documents which you have?

- Hektor has flat push button, very uncommon. I remember having seen similar pictured in one of the books from James Lager. Again, could be added during meter-feet conversion.

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I do not believe the Hektor was originally "married" to this camera. Indeed, one of the receipts from Wetzlar (1948), seems to indicate an accompanying Elmar. I say "seems" because the writing is extremely difficult to read. Rather, I think the lens was a later addition, and that it was coupled here in the USA sometime in the 1950s. The lens was obviously manufactured for the UK or USA market, or some other place where inches and feet are characteristic. Incidentally, while I am not an experienced collector, I do place more importance on this lens than I do on the camera itself -- especially since I was able to acquire the whole package for a price I would consider to be a fair value for the lens alone.

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Here is my Leica II Model D from 1932 with a nickel Hektor lens. These are not in such pristine condition as fstop's camera and lens above. The serial number of the camera indicates that it is from 1932 and the serial number of the lens indicates that it is from 'prior to 1933'. I have no reason to believe that the two have not been together 'since birth'. I got these at auction for less than the price of the Hektor, so the II Model D (my third black one - I have one in chrome also) effectively came for free. The scale on the lens is in meters.

 

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It will be noted that, as pointed out by Jerzy above, this one also has a flat infinity lock button.

 

As for displaying, I have an acrylic display case which can take up to 10 cameras. I rotate items from my collection through the case from time to time, so I don't screw down the items or fix them in any way. I also use the cameras to take photographs, of course.

 

William

 

 

 

 

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William,

 

Your Leica II is quite beautiful, pristine or not. Thanks for sharing it. In a private message, Jerzy asked me for the serial number of the lens, saying it was his understanding that the flat infinity lock button was limited to later iterations of the lens made for the USA market. I think your sample puts an end to that understanding. In any event, I am away from home (and the camera and lens) for the rest of this week, but I will check and post serial numbers of both camera and lens when I return. None of this minutiae is my cup of tea, actually, but it is obviously fascinating to those who are devoted to the fine points of Leica history. More power to them, I say.

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