Guest henjenn Posted August 3, 2011 Share #1 Posted August 3, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello everyone. I have this M3 with the box. I see the M3's serial number is written on the bottom of the box in ink. Is this a method Leica used for labeling boxes sometimes? At first I assumed that the previous owner just wrote it on the box............. but then I saw a similar box on ebay with the serial # written in ink also. Picture of my box is on left and ebay box on the right. Notice how the ebay box numbers are written very uniquely. So now Im wondering if this is how Leica labeled the box once in awhile. Like on those days when they ran out of labels and they were all drinking beer and they were too lazy to run to go get some..... they just said "screw it, lets write it in das pen till we get das labels" Any thoughts? 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! 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/158501-is-this-authentic/?do=findComment&comment=1754922'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 3, 2011 Posted August 3, 2011 Hi Guest henjenn, Take a look here Is this Authentic ??. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
doubice Posted August 3, 2011 Share #2 Posted August 3, 2011 Leica boxes indeed used to have a hand written serial number on their bottom but, your box does not seem to have been marked by the factory. First of all, the number '7', when written by a European, usually has a dash across its vertical leg - to distinguish it from the letter '1' that when written without this 'dash', may look similar. Secondly, the '#' symbol is not used by Europeans and definitely was not used by them when this camera was produced. So - whilst the box and the camera are genuine, the written number may not be. Best, Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted August 3, 2011 Share #3 Posted August 3, 2011 It's the French who cross their sevens, and have long upward strokes on ones, not all Europeans. The second box number looks, to me, as if it were written by a French person. The hash is definitely an American thing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
azzo Posted August 3, 2011 Share #4 Posted August 3, 2011 ..... and the Italians cross their sevens, and have long upward strokes on ones! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted August 3, 2011 Share #5 Posted August 3, 2011 I'm Italian and confirm what Azzo said... I cross my sevens ; anyway, I'd not worry toomuch of the authenticy of the writing... none can make, I think, a definitive expertise on it (or... maybe check ink's age ? ). The box in itself is authentic and this matters... As a side note... the "#" is really uncommon in Europe... but... who knows ? Maybe a Canadian guy sent to Wetzlar for practicing ? Or...a M3 originally sent to USA, and a Leitz N.Y. guy has written himself the s/n ?... Or... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iphoenix Posted August 3, 2011 Share #6 Posted August 3, 2011 Well said Luigi. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest henjenn Posted August 3, 2011 Share #7 Posted August 3, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Well maybe this will help with the mystery. Here is the story from the man I purchased the camera from. Dear Mr. Obert: Briefly; I purchased the camera in Willoughby's in New York in 1963. On my way to Athens Georgia there was a wait between trains, so I walked over to the store and bought the camera and f2 lens. A few years back I sent it to E Leitz for cleaning and checkup. It came back with a note that it was all in excellent condition. I know it has worked faultlessly for me alll these years. Our family, wife and eight children, really enjoyed the results from using it and hope it will bring as much pleasure to you. Sincerely, Richard Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sabears Posted August 3, 2011 Share #8 Posted August 3, 2011 Aftermarket added serial n.. Moreover on the wrong side and without the usual stamp. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest henjenn Posted August 3, 2011 Share #9 Posted August 3, 2011 Briefly; I purchased the camera in Willoughby's in New York in 1963. So its safe to say that the ink written serial number was put on the box from a Willoughby's employeee. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted August 3, 2011 Share #10 Posted August 3, 2011 So its safe to say that the ink written serial number was put on the box from a Willoughby's employeee. Shame, that means it's not genuine Leica ink, applied in Germany. I cross my sevens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
asmith Posted August 3, 2011 Share #11 Posted August 3, 2011 I cross my sevens too. Many people do in all European countries. Alwyn Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
UliWer Posted August 3, 2011 Share #12 Posted August 3, 2011 Shame, that means it's not genuine Leica ink, applied in Germany. I cross my sevens. Though you might consider that "Wetzlar" is of celtic origin. Even more important, the region where the M3 was produced is called "Kalsmunt", also celtic, meaning "barren hill". So there are strong signs that the writing on the box might show stronger celtic influences than germanic ones. Do the Welsh and Irish cross their sevens? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sabears Posted August 3, 2011 Share #13 Posted August 3, 2011 Though you might consider that "Wetzlar" is of celtic origin. Even more important, the region where the M3 was produced is called "Kalsmunt", also celtic, meaning "barren hill". So there are strong signs that the writing on the box might show stronger celtic influences than germanic ones. Do the Welsh and Irish cross their sevens? ....'>-Wetzlar- Kalsmunt 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
UliWer Posted August 3, 2011 Share #14 Posted August 3, 2011 In the first section of this film you see an overview over the Leitz-factory from the Kalsmunt, the second shows the state-of art-production of SDHC-Cards: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twotone Posted August 3, 2011 Share #15 Posted August 3, 2011 I'm Scottish and a Celt and I cross my sevens:cool: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted August 3, 2011 Share #16 Posted August 3, 2011 I was born in the USA - New England, when in our Catholic school we still used ink pens, ink wells and we were taught to print in some kind of italic. I cross 7 and upsweep 1, but still use #. Does any Mac user know of a font most similar to those mentioned? TIA Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest henjenn Posted August 4, 2011 Share #17 Posted August 4, 2011 So the gentleman that sold me the camera with box stated "A few years back I sent it to E Leitz for cleaning and checkup" If he sent it to "E Leitz" for CLA then what is this wax seal all about? At certain angles it looks like a Y then at another angle it looks like a complete mess. Any thoughts. Thanks 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! 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/158501-is-this-authentic/?do=findComment&comment=1756578'>More sharing options...
sabears Posted August 5, 2011 Share #18 Posted August 5, 2011 It looks like a complete mess to me too, however ... if Y: Serviced by Leitz, New York/USA if J : Serviced by Mr Gerry Smith from Toronto, both nothing to do with Leitz gmbh (Germany). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted August 5, 2011 Share #19 Posted August 5, 2011 Why is the shutter half cocked? Sort it out! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizard Posted August 5, 2011 Share #20 Posted August 5, 2011 Whereever it was serviced, those shutter curtains sure look pristine. Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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