chounws Posted May 10, 2013 Share #1 Posted May 10, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) I got this camera which has abnormal letter with series of number L-3798 (see picture) below the camera serial number,, any advise what the meaning of it would be very appreciated, thanks Chounchai Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner 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/204404-letter-and-numbers-below-sn-of-leica-iiig/?do=findComment&comment=2318087'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 10, 2013 Posted May 10, 2013 Hi chounws, Take a look here Letter and numbers below SN of Leica IIIg. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
luigi bertolotti Posted May 10, 2013 Share #2 Posted May 10, 2013 It seems to me an engraving not made at factory : in this case imho the reasonable explanation is that the original owner was an entity which had to identify with a proper internal code the camera... and it could be an entity of the most disparate kind : a public authority (police or so), a hospital, a research institute, a press/photo agency... even some military departement : the "Swedish Army" IIIG are well known and identified, but maybe some other Army could have bought "standard" IIIGs like this one seems to be. There had been also dealers / importers who used to engrave their Leicas... but didn't assign a serial mumber of their own. Do you know something about the past history of this IIIG ? Or, at least, from which country it came initially ? If the engraving would have been done at factory, "L" could have been interpreted as "Leih"= Loan, a camera given to someone for loan, for some reason... there are Leicas with such inscription... but not with this style and specific number, iirc Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chounws Posted May 10, 2013 Author Share #3 Posted May 10, 2013 Do you know something about the past history of this IIIG ? Or, at least, from which country it came initially ? Thank you very much Luigi, Your information very interesting and let me understand better the usage of Leica in the old day. I just bought this camera from ebay seller in USA that what I know. Kind regards, Chounchai Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted May 10, 2013 Share #4 Posted May 10, 2013 Thank you for your appreciation... IIIG is one of the best classic Leica to have ; apart any consideration on the engraving, IIIGs are anyway not too common cameras: they entered the market when the "new family" of Leica M was already introduced, so they represent the final stage of the breed that made the history of Leitz in the photographic world : have you got the body only or there was also some lens with it ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted May 13, 2013 Share #5 Posted May 13, 2013 That engraving was not done at the factory. A completely different font and the numbers are not aligned. Your guess is as good as mine (or Luigi's ) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sabears Posted May 13, 2013 Share #6 Posted May 13, 2013 It's the height of the Grossglockner (3798 m.) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chounws Posted May 14, 2013 Author Share #7 Posted May 14, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) have you got the body only or there was also some lens with it ? Sorry for late replied, Luigi I got it in only body, thanks Chounchai Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted May 14, 2013 Share #8 Posted May 14, 2013 That engraving was not done at the factory. A completely different font and the numbers are not aligned. Your guess is as good as mine (or Luigi's ) the L for Leitz and the one before the numbers seems to be the same. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted May 14, 2013 Share #9 Posted May 14, 2013 True... but "7"and more again "3" have a different styiling... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted May 14, 2013 Share #10 Posted May 14, 2013 Even the 9 has a -albeit very small- difference. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_parker Posted May 20, 2013 Share #11 Posted May 20, 2013 Even the 9 has a -albeit very small- difference. The figures also appear to be slightly out of register with each other (i.e. they are not exactly in line and not in line with the engraving above either, which might suggest some aftermarket engraving. It is competent though, and 'inked in', which might suggest a distributor doing it for a reason, or an official body. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted May 20, 2013 Share #12 Posted May 20, 2013 If the engraving would have been done at factory, "L" could have been interpreted as "Leih"= Loan, a camera given to someone for loan, for some reason... there are Leicas with such inscription... but not with this style and specific number, iirc I reread again ( and again..) the J. Lager book : Cameras, and there are lots of cameras with different style of engraving added. All of them belong to the Leitz factory. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted May 21, 2013 Share #13 Posted May 21, 2013 I would guess it is an identity number relating to something other than 'Leica', otherwise some of the previous 3797 (and however many come after) would be documented already. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckrider Posted July 16, 2013 Share #14 Posted July 16, 2013 It's the height of the Grossglockner (3798 m.) Not impossible & "L" means Luckner ! Großglockner Bergtour vom Lucknerhaus in Kals auf den höchsten Berg Österreichs Felix von Luckner - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Please consider , that in the English wiki text his merits about the town of Halle are not mentioned: World War II History kind regards Thomas Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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