What do I have?

[cruukedeye]

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I inherited a few Leicas from my grandfather a number of years ago and have just had them sitting on a shelf on display for a few years; But now I'm interested in knowing more about them. Not to sell them just to know, any knowledge would be help full.

 

I have a 3 F that I'm told is from 1935 the No. 154319 it's the classic silver color

 

and I have a M2 that's supposedly from 1958 the No. 97138 and it's Black, I think its the original color it seems to have the paint fading around some of the edges and there seems to be a light bronze color coming thru where the paint has rubbed off the edges, is this one of the "RARE" Black M2's?

 

Both Cameras are fully functional and I have both original leather cases for them. I'd just like to know more about them any info?

 

here's a pic of my Black one:

 

 

Here's a pic of my Silver one:

[andybarton]

Welcome to the forum

 

At the top of the section where you started this thread you will find the following two threads, which will help you.

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-collectors-historica/78771-inherited-leica-trying-find-valuation.html

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-collectors-historica/80354-looking-cameras-lens-year-issue.html

 

Neither of those are an M2, but if the serial numbers are correct, they are both screw thread Leicas from the mid 30s and are either a II (the black one) or a III (the silver) model. Neither of them are IIIf, though, which are much later.

[Pecole]

I inherited a few Leicas from my grandfather a number of years ago and have just had them sitting on a shelf on display for a few years; But now I'm interested in knowing more about them. Not to sell them just to know, any knowledge would be help full.

 

I have a 3 F that I'm told is from 1935 the No. 154319 it's the classic silver color

 

and I have a M2 that's supposedly from 1958 the No. 97138 and it's Black, I think its the original color it seems to have the paint fading around some of the edges and there seems to be a light bronze color coming thru where the paint has rubbed off the edges, is this one of the "RARE" Black M2's?

 

Both Cameras are fully functional and I have both original leather cases for them. I'd just like to know more about them any info?

 

 

Sorry to - maybe - disappoint you, but both your Leicas are very common ones, and neither is a IIIf or an M2. The black serialled nº 97138 is a Leica II poroduced in 1932 (total production : about 33.000 from 1932 to 1934) with no slow speeds and shutter speed limited to 1/500th. It is the most interesting because of its relatively low serial number. The chrome one nº 154319 is a Leica III produced in 1935 (total number produced in either black or chrome finish : more than 76.000 from 1933 to 1939).