Andysnap Posted November 19, 2012 Share #1 Posted November 19, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm sure this has been asked thousands of times but once more pays for all. I have just received my first Leica, a II with a 50mm Elmar f3.5 lens but when I have tried to find its date of manufacture the serial number seems to point to it being a I which it most definitely is not. Leica-II by andysnapper1, on Flickr Here's the number Serial-Number by andysnapper1, on Flickr So, has anyone any ideas? Am I just looking in the wrong lists? Have I been conned? Thanks in advance for any help or advice. Andy Oh, I bought the camera from a reputable dealer/shop so if it is a phoney it should be ok to get my money back, but I really want it to be ok because its bloody lovely. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 19, 2012 Posted November 19, 2012 Hi Andysnap, Take a look here Identifying a Camera. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
earleygallery Posted November 19, 2012 Share #2 Posted November 19, 2012 The camera doesn't look right to my eyes. I'd guess at a Russian fake. Can you remove the lens and take a pic of the focus cam (inside the top of the lens mount)? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andysnap Posted November 19, 2012 Author Share #3 Posted November 19, 2012 Is this the bit? Lens-cam by andysnapper1, on Flickr Thanks for taking the time to help, I really am floundering in a Leica sea at the moment. Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted November 19, 2012 Share #4 Posted November 19, 2012 So, that's a roller cam, which is right for a Leica (the Russians have a solid cam). I suspect you may have one like mine - a I from 1929 which was factory-upgraded in 1934 to II specification by having a rangefinder added. I can't get at the exact link at the moment but if you go to my Flickr stream from my signature and go to the set called "Equipment" you will find a picture of mine. Regards, Bill Sent from another Galaxy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andysnap Posted November 19, 2012 Author Share #5 Posted November 19, 2012 Thank you Bill, I feel a lot better now. Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted November 19, 2012 Share #6 Posted November 19, 2012 A classic I (from 1934) converted to II Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andysnap Posted November 19, 2012 Author Share #7 Posted November 19, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thank you for the confirmation, I was worried for a while. Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted November 19, 2012 Share #8 Posted November 19, 2012 Andy, I didn't mean to alarm you. The round rangefinder cam is usually a good indicator, as most Russian cameras have a pointed cam, although some were round apparently so it's not conclusive. I still find the quality of the engraving and shutter dial a little suspect, but JC is far more knowledgeable on vintage Leica equipment than me so I will accept his opinion. I would also point out that some 'fakes' can be worth more than the originals. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerzy Posted November 20, 2012 Share #9 Posted November 20, 2012 Hi, For me it looks like was originally I to II Upgrade in black, than, probably not at Leitz black paint removed and chrom plating applied. Very shallow engraving on top is indication for my assumption. Engravings on black Leicas from that time were filled with alloy (Woods metal?), therefore engraving was Not so deep as on later black, where ist was filled with white paint. Speed dial was originally nickeled, if nickel plating not properly removed than this Couleur possibly explain slightly different engravings. But deffinitevly genuine Leica, russian fakes Never had the viewing windowsl of such shape Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andysnap Posted November 20, 2012 Author Share #10 Posted November 20, 2012 Thanks guys. The little beauty is off for a CLA on saturday and then I shall run some rolls through her. Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted November 20, 2012 Share #11 Posted November 20, 2012 Hi,Engravings on black Leicas from that time were filled with alloy (Woods metal?), therefore engraving was Not so deep as on later black, where ist was filled with white paint. Bismuth (inletted in the engraving when liquid (by low temp fusion), next black (cellusosic) painted and after drying and strenght, polished (cellulosic is mat and need to be be polished )untill the bismuth re appears Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted November 21, 2012 Share #12 Posted November 21, 2012 Based on the number it seems Andy's is originally a I from 1931 (Puts's Leica List). Speaking of the white paint on the black paint Barnack's, here's a close-up of my Leica II. It has serial no. 62742 and is, thus, from the same batch of Leica I as Andy's. Mine was upgraded to a II in 1950. Edit: For some reason I am unable to link directly to the image. Here it is: http://philipus.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Leica%20II_2.jpg Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerzy Posted November 21, 2012 Share #13 Posted November 21, 2012 Bismuth (inletted in the engraving when liquid (by low temp fusion), next black (cellusosic) painted and after drying and strenght, polished (cellulosic is mat and need to be be polished )untill the bismuth re appears JC, I've heard once from a person who seem to know how Leica did it: 1. black paint with thermo-resistant paint, 2.engraving, 3.inlaying with Bismuth alloy, not pure Bismuth. This is why I put "?" at Woods alloy, I do not know if this was really Woods or another combination of Bismuth, Zink and Lead. Bismuth alone is rather hard and is not good adhesive, thus not easily filling the whole engraving. Important was as well that inlaying should have been done almost immediately after engraving to avoid oxidation of brass. This is what I've herad and honestly it makes sense to me. On later black leicas, fillied with white paint engravings were deeper to have more white paint and clear letters/numbers. jerzy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andysnap Posted November 21, 2012 Author Share #14 Posted November 21, 2012 My word, what a wealth of knowledge there is on this site. Thank you all very much for the information, I am really looking forward to using the camera and seeing what it is that makes everyone so passionate about Leicas. Cheers Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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