nf3996 Posted December 19, 2020 Share #1 Posted December 19, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am the owner of a black Leica III with nickel fittings and a nickel 50mm f/3.5 Elmar lens. From their serial numbers, the camera dates from 1933 and the lens from 1932, and the pair may have spent all of their lives together. However, according to the camera’s serial number (116111) it should be a chrome model, from the first batch of chrome III models in fact. I know that Leitz would upgrade an owner’s camera, and paint it black if requested too. If my camera is a repaint, it would appear that the original chrome fittings have also been replaced with nickel ones. Was this something that Leitz also offered as an ‘upgrade’? The black paint is nicely brassed and to my eyes looks as if it has been there a very long time – so long that I’m inclined to think that this has been a black model all its life. If that is so, why the serial number discrepancy? Alan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 19, 2020 Posted December 19, 2020 Hi nf3996, Take a look here Leica III serial number curiosity . I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
pedaes Posted December 19, 2020 Share #2 Posted December 19, 2020 (edited) 17 minutes ago, nf3996 said: black Leica III with nickel fittings A picture or three would be nice! Not sure the 'batch' numbers are that accurate for every number/camera in batch to be correct. Enjoy the camera! Edited December 19, 2020 by pedaes Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nf3996 Posted December 19, 2020 Author Share #3 Posted December 19, 2020 Three photos now uploaded. I've included a later chrome 5cm f/2.8 Elmar in the photos to show the difference between the nickel finish and chrome finish. In reality, the difference is more striking than in the photos - the nickel is yellower. Alan 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! 1 1 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/316227-leica-iii-serial-number-curiosity/?do=findComment&comment=4101797'>More sharing options...
jerzy Posted December 19, 2020 Share #4 Posted December 19, 2020 accoring to Hahne list it was black painted, within a batch of 250 BP cameras (116001-116250). Where did you find it was chromed? Could you pls post additionally a photo of locking pin for bottom cover? It is for my researches. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nf3996 Posted December 19, 2020 Author Share #5 Posted December 19, 2020 1 hour ago, jerzy said: accoring to Hahne list it was black painted, within a batch of 250 BP cameras (116001-116250). Where did you find it was chromed? Could you pls post additionally a photo of locking pin for bottom cover? It is for my researches. I was looking at the list in G Rogliatti's Leica. The First Fifty Years (2nd edition), plus two searches on the internet - all came up with chrome for the serial number. Is the Hahne list available on the internet? I'm unsure which bit is the locking pin, so I've uploaded two photos of different parts that I think it might be. I hope one of them is correct ... Alan 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/316227-leica-iii-serial-number-curiosity/?do=findComment&comment=4101869'>More sharing options...
jerzy Posted December 19, 2020 Share #6 Posted December 19, 2020 vor einer Stunde schrieb nf3996: Is the Hahne list available on the internet? not that I am aware of. Some peoiple call it as well Band I, it is publication of Leica Historica Germany. Hardly available now, very seldom on auctions. This list contains as well mistakes and simplifications but is the best what is available. According to factory notes first, LLeitz started with test chroming on 106201-106300, these were II and it was January 1933. Re locking pin - thank you, yes, I meant this one 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! it is large pin, introduced in May 1933. Your III is very early, I thought it might have still small one. I never saw III with small pin, was curious. Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! it is large pin, introduced in May 1933. Your III is very early, I thought it might have still small one. I never saw III with small pin, was curious. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/316227-leica-iii-serial-number-curiosity/?do=findComment&comment=4101930'>More sharing options...
Pyrogallol Posted December 19, 2020 Share #7 Posted December 19, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have a 111 in black and chrome, at least I think it is chrome it is difficult to tell in evening room light. No. 112674 with the large pin base lock. 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/316227-leica-iii-serial-number-curiosity/?do=findComment&comment=4102053'>More sharing options...
jerzy Posted December 20, 2020 Share #8 Posted December 20, 2020 until approx 1935 black painted cameras have nickeled fittings, if this one has chromed than it must have been replaced. Btw III is yet another example that serial numbers were not used in sequence - first one is 109001 from May 1933, IIIs with lower number (if not converted) were produced later, some even in 1934 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
willeica Posted December 21, 2020 Share #9 Posted December 21, 2020 On 12/19/2020 at 4:07 PM, jerzy said: not that I am aware of. Some peoiple call it as well Band I, it is publication of Leica Historica Germany. Hardly available now, very seldom on auctions. This list contains as well mistakes and simplifications but is the best what is available. According to factory notes first, LLeitz started with test chroming on 106201-106300, these were II and it was January 1933. Re locking pin - thank you, yes, I meant this one 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! it is large pin, introduced in May 1933. Your III is very early, I thought it might have still small one. I never saw III with small pin, was curious. My bright chrome III with SN 116813 has the large pin. I have not yet checked the date of issue with the Leica Archives, but I presume it must be after May 1933. With the hardwearing bright chrome it actually looks like it could have come out of the factory yesterday. It seems to have come from the first batch of chrome IIIs. There were some earlier chrome batches of IIs and one of Standards. William Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan mcfall Posted December 22, 2020 Share #10 Posted December 22, 2020 I have these model III's, all early black paint with nickle trim. the 109577 has a small pin base plate, the 111890 a large one. 109577 III 109994 III 111890 III 117286 III 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now