Rotwang Posted June 9, 2010 Share #1 Posted June 9, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have a common lens in my collection "Leica Elmar 9cm 1:4 for SM39. This one has some engravings on the screw mount side : "W.H." Does someone know about it? Are these the initials from the original owner? Please see pic's below Best regards Rotwang 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/123342-leica-elmar-9cm-with-engraving/?do=findComment&comment=1347651'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 9, 2010 Posted June 9, 2010 Hi Rotwang, Take a look here Leica Elmar 9cm with engraving. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
lars_bergquist Posted June 9, 2010 Share #2 Posted June 9, 2010 Isn't that supposed to mean "Wilhelmshafen", that is, the old Reich naval base? The old man from the 1930's Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrid Posted June 9, 2010 Share #3 Posted June 9, 2010 (edited) I'm pretty certain that 'W.H.' stands for 'Wehrmacht' or 'Wehrmacht Heer', referring to the German Army, as it was called until the end of WWII. Edited June 9, 2010 by thrid Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
UliWer Posted June 9, 2010 Share #4 Posted June 9, 2010 Lager (vol. I p. 90) describes the engraving "W.H." as short for "Wehrmacht Heer", i.e. "Army". He dates IIIc bodies of a special gray type with a "K" behind the number to 1942 numbered 3911424 - 391700 all engraved "W.H." on the top cover just below the word "Wetzlar". He also says that there have been 5cm Elmars and 13,5 cm Hektors with "W.H." and a special design for the VIOOH finder. I think it is not improbable that there have been 9cm Elmars with this engraving as well. The engravings for the marine in Wilhelmshaven were engraved "W.haven". Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted June 10, 2010 Share #5 Posted June 10, 2010 O.K. -- the old man stands corrected. Should have checked. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotwang Posted June 10, 2010 Author Share #6 Posted June 10, 2010 Thank you all for the answer. I am not happy with it because I do not like military items. Does someone know where to sell? What maybe the price for it? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted June 10, 2010 Share #7 Posted June 10, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) The Elmar 90 black is undoubtly a very common item (see for instance www.leicashop.com : 3 for sale ranging 100-200 Euro) ; yours seems to have unscratched glass (hazy, maybe ?), has also a rather nice number, has the military engraving who someone can value as a plus... I'd say you could ask on ebay something in the range 220-300 Euro and see what happens... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrid Posted June 13, 2010 Share #8 Posted June 13, 2010 I would search around and see what similarly marked items are selling for. The most common probably are the Elmar 3.5/50, although military photographers very given priority over civilians for items like the Summitar (coated) etc. I haven't seen that many 90's marked like that, although they do appear in period pictures. Maybe also check the Westlicht catalogs, Collectible Cameras, kevincameras.com etc. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizard Posted June 18, 2010 Share #9 Posted June 18, 2010 Thank you all for the answer. I am not happy with it because I do not like military items. Well, apart from those two engraved letters, the lens isn't any different from a lens of the same type and year. In other words, there is nothing "military" in this lens. Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted June 18, 2010 Share #10 Posted June 18, 2010 Approach a Leica dealer and ask if they will sell it on a commission basis for you ... then they may be prepared to ascertain a fair price. Or you could advertise it here on 'Buy and Sell' if you can determine a fair price. dunk Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted June 18, 2010 Share #11 Posted June 18, 2010 Hi, Are you able to open/read your personnal message in this forum ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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