Leica IIIc Luftwaffen-Eigentum real one ?

[meteze]

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Hello everyone, I'm new to the forum.

I just read this one: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-collectors-historica/78771-inherited-leica-trying-find-valuation.html so i try to post again (My first post was wrong )

 

 

I recently found in my grandfather home, the camera of the pictures that I have attached (I actually found several old cameras, including this).

 

 

I would like to know if it's really a Leica 3c Luftwaffe (from what I've read on the internet, I think it is one). It is in very good condition. I can also attach more pictures or videos if necessary.

 

Do you think I should have it reconditioned ?

In my town there is no Leica specialist dealer ...

 

Thanks

[andybarton]

Welcome to the forum

 

It would be helpful if you could link to, or upload to the forum, larger sized images. These links are too small to see anything clearly.

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[meteze]

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[doolittle]

It certainly looks the part. It's definitely a IIIc, with what looks like a flash terminal added subsequently. The engravings look right too, but it wouldn't be unknown for engravings to be added to bump up the value of a regular IIIc. You could check if the serial number was from a batch allocated to the Luftwaffe. Did you hear how your grandfather acquired it?

 

I think would it would be better not to get it reconditioned without getting expert advice first.

[luigi bertolotti]

Cameras of the 38x.xxx 39x.xxx were indeed mostly made for military.... many items are reported in the books, both "Luftwaffen Eigentum" and "Heer". Yours is definitely an item that worths an expertise.

[jerzy]

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Body SN is listed in the Cane list, Leica Historica publication, I cannot read SN of Elmar on the photo. Flash sync added, non Leitz.

I see it as pretty strong indication that it might be genuine Luftwaffe, final confirmation would need detailed inspection and possibly removing the top cover to see all details

Jerzy

[koray]

It is amazing to experience a Luftwaffen-Eigentum thread without the exclamations of FAKE or ZORKI!..

 

K.

[meteze]

Thanks to all for advice !

 

@doolittle

Unfortunately, my grandfather passed away last year, so I can only assume. His father was an aircraft engineer - before and during World War II - and I assume that the camera was a family legacy.. However, I found in his house, several old cameras - about a dozen - some of them very old. Until he died, I did not know of their existence.

 

@jerzy

If necessary, I'll put pictures from different camera angles, you just tell me what you want.

Can I remove the top cover to see the details? Or is it necessary that this operation is run by an expert?

 

I do not know how to find a Leica expert, but I'll look for one. Honestly, I do not trust locals ...

[DigitalHeMan]

Where are you based, Meteze? That would help people to recommend one.

[meteze]

I am from Brasov - Transilvanya - Romania.

[jaapv]

If you intend to sell the camera you can have it evaluated by Westlicht Auctions.

[jerzy]

@meteze - no, more fotos will not help, i strongly discourage to remove top cover without having special tools and expertise. You may do more damage which will reduce the value of camer (which is already affected by flash socket). Closest to you is Westlicht, Vienna and they are really experts (although I am living in Vienna I do not have any relation to Westlicht).

Things like type of engraving, depth, sort of paint used for fillings require visual inspection of camera and lens.

If you post SN of Elmar I may check if this belonged to the same batch. This may be another indication for genuinity, however not necessarily the evidence.

Jerzy

[meteze]

I sent an email to Westlicht, and currently I am in talks with them. I'll wait and see what would happen. If I fail to reach an agreement with them, I'll probably put it on ebay ...

 

Anyway, thank you to all the answers.

[Dáithí]

Please let us know what they say.

[meteze]

They were very honest with me. They told me under what conditions and what price I'm going to get on my camera. But I am not satisfied with the financial side so, considering these issues, I decided to wait a bit. Meanwhile I've found in my grandfather's house, and many other cameras dismantled, including a Leica IIIc camera housing.

 

I still do not know what to do next (to sell / to keep him) ... anyway, I'll let you know what decision I made.

[George Furst]

It certainly looks like a genuine one. I also not that the case looks like it is black. During the war cases for the military cameras were often black. Does the case have the luffeneigentum engraved on the middle of the top. That would be a clincher as this was harder to forge. The engravings all look the same as the one I have. James lager has a wonderful soft bound book with all the serial numbers listed and the date of shipment of most of them. I will look your serial number up and see if it is listed. That would help to confirm it authenticity! Thank you for sharing this with us, it is a beautiful camera and if real has quite a history to tell us.

 

If you wish to learn the life of a German photographer during the war read the book "My life with the Leica" by Walter Benser. His Leicas would have had Heer on them but the life of the cameras were the same whether as a German Air Force camera or an army camera. These cameras represent history in all it's challenges.