Leica__M3 Posted November 11, 2011 Share #1 Posted November 11, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi (from me as a newbie), Was just having a look at whats about on a large/popular auction site and found a M3 that has a rather curious modification Perhaps it is my suspicious mind, however I am struggling to think of a reason to do that which doesn't point to some nefarious goings on? After my last foray into linking to auctions at that site, I won't link the listing itself here , however the seller is asking USD1,500.00 (for the body + summicron 50mm lens + various accessories + case) ... which even for me as somewhat of a novice to this world, seems ever a little optimistic. Or... have I got this completely wrong, and the ground off number means this is some rare gem???? Cheers and beers, D PS. I hope I am posting this is the correct part of the forum?. If not, please can someone PM me and point me to the correct spot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 11, 2011 Posted November 11, 2011 Hi Leica__M3, Take a look here M3 with serial number removed. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
earleygallery Posted November 11, 2011 Share #2 Posted November 11, 2011 Probably means it was stolen at some point! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted November 11, 2011 Share #3 Posted November 11, 2011 I wouldn't touch that with your barge pole, let alone mine. But welcome to the Forum Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leica__M3 Posted November 11, 2011 Author Share #4 Posted November 11, 2011 I wouldn't touch that with your barge pole, let alone mine. But welcome to the Forum Thanks Andy! I agree. Although I suppose the missing number does have one benefit.... ............... it would be easy to pair it with a box... Too soon? D Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted November 11, 2011 Share #5 Posted November 11, 2011 Hi (from me as a newbie), Was just having a look at whats about on a large/popular auction site and found a M3 that has a rather curious modification http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/5/1/5/7/7/1/webimg/520076192_o.jpg Perhaps it is my suspicious mind, however I am struggling to think of a reason to do that which doesn't point to some nefarious goings on? After my last foray into linking to auctions at that site, I won't link the listing itself here , however the seller is asking USD1,500.00 (for the body + summicron 50mm lens + various accessories + case) ... which even for me as somewhat of a novice to this world, seems ever a little optimistic. Or... have I got this completely wrong, and the ground off number means this is some rare gem???? Cheers and beers, D PS. I hope I am posting this is the correct part of the forum?. If not, please can someone PM me and point me to the correct spot. This means the camera is virtually worthless. Evidently stolen goods usually are. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted November 11, 2011 Share #6 Posted November 11, 2011 A serious dealer always declares the s/n, expecially for an item like a M3... forget about... there's something wrong. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sabears Posted November 11, 2011 Share #7 Posted November 11, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) This is the famous no number "candid-shots" Leica M3 (with totally blank warranty card) used by Cartier Bresson when he wanted to remain anonymous . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
koray Posted November 11, 2011 Share #8 Posted November 11, 2011 This is the famous no number "candid-shots" Leica M3 (with totally blank warranty card) used by Cartier Bresson when he wanted to remain anonymous . Good one! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gyoung Posted November 11, 2011 Share #9 Posted November 11, 2011 It was certainly a decisive moment when they took the grinder to it Gerry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
miss_emma_jade Posted November 14, 2011 Share #10 Posted November 14, 2011 there was a standard on ebay US a month or so back with a scratched out serial number.. didnt seem to take away from its value much.. crazy people!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaques Posted November 29, 2011 Share #11 Posted November 29, 2011 the number could have been removed decades ago... leaving the camera forever tainted. A hot potato... that never cools down. Should the camera have to suffer in eternity for the sins of another? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted November 29, 2011 Share #12 Posted November 29, 2011 the number could have been removed decades ago... leaving the camera forever tainted. A hot potato... that never cools down. Should the camera have to suffer in eternity for the sins of another? I agree that Leicas "have a soul"... and yes, this M3, with no culprit, will suffer in eternity... and even more if one RE-engraves a "reasonable" s/n... condamning her to a probable perennial loss of her identity in the glorious "breed of Wetzlar"... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
UliWer Posted November 29, 2011 Share #13 Posted November 29, 2011 When the Customer Service changes the original top plate for a new one the new one gets the original number and the one on the old plate is deleted, but the owner gets it back. ( I am not sure how they proceed with the current M9 update to chrome versions, but they give the top plate back in other cases). So it's possible that such a plate which was legally changed has been legally reused in other circumstances. Though I think that the style of deleting the number in Wetzlar/Solms looks different than in this case. There have been examples posted here, but I can't find them. Edit: I found the photo of the changed top plate with deleted number: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-sammler-historica/161222-m2-zweimal.html#post1581361 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted November 30, 2011 Share #14 Posted November 30, 2011 Interesting – but in that picture, the serial number is still clearly readable! The grinding just says 'no longer valid'. The old man, serial no. 361104xxxx Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted November 30, 2011 Share #15 Posted November 30, 2011 Leica would (should) never allow two top plates to be in circulation with the same serial number. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted November 30, 2011 Share #16 Posted November 30, 2011 Leica would (should) never allow two top plates to be in circulation with the same serial number. They already do this a lot of time and sometimes added an asterix to the number but not everytime. When the Customer Service changes the original top plate for a new one the new one gets the original number and the one on the old plate is deleted, but the owner gets it back. ( I am not sure how they proceed with the current M9 update to chrome versions, but they give the top plate back in other cases). So it's possible that such a plate which was legally changed has been legally reused in other circumstances. Though I think that the style of deleting the number in Wetzlar/Solms looks different than in this case. There have been examples posted here, but I can't find them. Edit: I found the photo of the changed top plate with deleted number: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-sammler-historica/161222-m2-zweimal.html#post1581361 very easy to do this since the serial number were on the accessory shoe Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted November 30, 2011 Share #17 Posted November 30, 2011 When the Customer Service changes the original top plate for a new one the new one gets the original number and the one on the old plate is deleted, but the owner gets it back. [...] I thought a duplicate/replacement serial number was marked at the end with an asterisk (*). When the top-plate of my M9 was replaced, I did not get the damaged one back. It would have been a good conversation piece. Leica FAQ — Serial Number * By the way, sometimes a ground-off numbers can be recovered by forensic means, especially if it is stamped, as it is in firearms, but probably not on an engraving like Leica's. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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