Leica IIIc

• Code names - LOOHW* (body only) + LOOZS (gray military body)

LOOGI = LOOHW + ELMAR (Elmar (I) f= 5 cm 1:3.5)

LOODU = LOOHW + SOORE (Summitar f= 5 cm 1:2 )

LOOSB = LOOHW + XEMOO (Xenon f= 5 cm 1:1.5 )

LOOPN-B 65101 = LOOHW + ELMAR (Elmar (I) f= 5 cm 1:3.5) - 1950 NY Catalog

LOOKX-B 65101 = LOOHW + SOORE (Summitar f= 5 cm 1:2 ) - 1950 NY Catalog

LOOIT-B 65089 = LOOHW + SOOIA (Summarit f= 5 cm 1:1.5) - 1950 NY Catalog
*Note: LOOHW is the code name for the Leica IIIf body as well as IIIc depending on the date of the catalog. As a further complication, LOOHW was also used for "30x slip-on magnifier for focusing stage" in the Leica 1984 Accessory Guide.

• Production era - 1940-1951; 133,626 cameras
• Evolution - Body was diecast and the top plate and rangefinder cover are in one piece making the camera 1/8" wider than previous versions
• Variants - Postwar version without the small step under the A-R lever; some postwar cameras were fitted with a rougher vulcanite body covering, referred to as "Sharkskin" (SH); German Army Wehrmacht Heer W.H. engraved cameras (WH), Luftwaffen-Eigentum (LE) and Leitz-Eigentum (L.E), the first post-war group has inferior chrome plating; a few are in black (509174) or grey paint; some are engraved 'N-L' for Odin, Leitz agency for the Netherlands
• Body - aluminum with chrome plated brass top plate, base plate and knobs
• Size L x W x H - 136 x 39 x 65 mm / 5.35 x 1.54 x 2.60 in
• Manuals & brochures
  • 1950 NY Price List.pdf
  • 1949 Instructions.pdf (in German)

Comment

• On the street - €EU 3,800 (WH) in 2015
• Reviews
  • Camerapedia IIIc
  • British Intelligence
• Forum discussion
  • [1] [2]
  • [3]
  • in use
  • JCB's a little...IIIc
  • Fontenelle archive 76a 76b
  • Fontenelle archive 85

Leica IIIc Serial Numbers

Serial numbers compiled from Puts Pocket Pod
.* and data from Pacific Rim Camera
.** per Schouten + Westlicht
^ Cameras 367008, 367033, 367093 & 367108 are Leica IIId

SN Start	SN End	Product	Year	Batch
360101	367000	Leica IIIc (NL+LE)	1940	6900
367001	^367325	Leica IIIc ^(assumed IIId)	1941-1944	[325]^
367325	387503	Leica IIIc (chrom+WH+LE)	1941-1942	20179
387504	388926	Leica IIIc (grey)**	1941-1942	1423**
388927	397650	Leica IIIc (grey+WH+LE)**	1943-1946	8724
400000	440000	Leica IIIc (chrom+SH-chrom)	1946-1947	40001
450000	450000	Leica IIIc	1949	1
460001	520000	Leica IIIc (chrom+SH-chrom+black+L.E)	1951	60000
524001	525000	Leica IIIc	1950-1951	1000
TOTAL	ASSIGNED	SERIAL NUMBERS	1940-1951	138,228