romualdo Posted May 31, 2021 Author Share #21 Posted May 31, 2021 Advertisement (gone after registration) 1 hour ago, willeica said: Try info@leica-camera.com. If you have difficulty come back to me. William, thanks for the email & message has been sent to above address - we'll see if I get a response 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 31, 2021 Posted May 31, 2021 Hi romualdo, Take a look here Leica III Black Paint - original or repaint. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
earleygallery Posted May 31, 2021 Share #22 Posted May 31, 2021 24 minutes ago, luigi bertolotti said: Yes... me too pointed on this in #2... it's an "exaggeration shift" by the seller... he also says "ex-demo"... which in strict terms is also very questionable for a camera of 1934 or so... unless one means "demo" in the sense of a display item for a shop of antiquites.... 😉 ; but provided that other statements are true (expecially the DAG CLA) it can be excused... To explain further, my thoughts are that the dealers description might - in their terms - mean reconditioned/repainted etc.... Worth asking the question. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
willeica Posted May 31, 2021 Share #23 Posted May 31, 2021 2 hours ago, earleygallery said: I would question the 'NOS' description. That may give up further information. New Old Stock should refer to new, as in not previously sold or used, items that are not longer current. For example, if a dealer had an unsold boxed unused M6 at the back of a cupboard, that would be NOS (as someone here bought a while ago). It is using modern verbiage for something which did not exist in 1933. You see a lot of that on this Forum, James. In order to be able to interpret the past you have to understand it. Based on what I have seen there was a certain amount of stocking in the 1930s, but a lot of the time the order went into Wetzlar after the customer had ordered. Based on what Jerzy has said and the Hahne list I would be fairly happy that this was a black paint model since the beginning. Getting confirmation from Wetzlar based on records or code name would be the 'icing on the cake'. William 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spydrxx Posted May 31, 2021 Share #24 Posted May 31, 2021 I'd go for buying it based on what you know/believe, and actual the condition of the camera. Follow up afterwards on establishing its long history/ provenance. After all, when you boil it down, isn't it really just a case of money vs enjoyment? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
romualdo Posted May 31, 2021 Author Share #25 Posted May 31, 2021 10 hours ago, earleygallery said: To explain further, my thoughts are that the dealers description might - in their terms - mean reconditioned/repainted etc.... Worth asking the question. this is the response I got from the dealer "This is purchased by our consignee client (a long-time Leica friend of mine) in 2010 in France from a Leica shop who had it on display as a demo unit." 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
romualdo Posted June 2, 2021 Author Share #26 Posted June 2, 2021 Here's the response I just got back from Leica - So, it was originally chrome according to them - thanks again William for the contact details Dear Stephen Platt, Thank you for your request. The camera with the serial number 120546 should be a Leica III in Chrome. If you have further question do not hesitate to contact us again. Mit freundlichen Gruessen / kind regards Thomas Schmidt Leica Camera AG Customer Care – Support Am Leitz Park 5 / D-35 578 Wetzlar / Germany www.leica-camera.com / info@leica-camera.com Telephone +49(0)6441-2080-111 / Fax +49(0)6441-2080-339 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted June 2, 2021 Share #27 Posted June 2, 2021 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) Perhaps an additional question would have been 'are there any records of it being converted to black by Leica?' Looking at the photos again a question that comes to mind is do the scratches on the baseplate go through to brass, or is it chrome underneath the paint? It doesn't look like it's chrome under the scratch on the toplate under the eyepiece, but the baseplate scratches appear brighter. Edited June 2, 2021 by 250swb Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
willeica Posted June 2, 2021 Share #28 Posted June 2, 2021 12 hours ago, romualdo said: Here's the response I just got back from Leica - So, it was originally chrome according to them - thanks again William for the contact details Dear Stephen Platt, Thank you for your request. The camera with the serial number 120546 should be a Leica III in Chrome. If you have further question do not hesitate to contact us again. Mit freundlichen Gruessen / kind regards Thomas Schmidt Leica Camera AG Customer Care – Support Am Leitz Park 5 / D-35 578 Wetzlar / Germany www.leica-camera.com / info@leica-camera.com Telephone +49(0)6441-2080-111 / Fax +49(0)6441-2080-339 Thanks Stephen. I would like to hear what Jerzy thinks of this as it seems to contradict the Hahne list. William Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubois pierre Posted June 2, 2021 Share #29 Posted June 2, 2021 You will always find inaccuracies about our dear Leicas and there will always be experts whom I will call artists to offer a particular Leica on special requests. For exemple this Leica IIIC chrome 1949. 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! Quote 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/321360-leica-iii-black-paint-original-or-repaint/?do=findComment&comment=4212455'>More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted June 2, 2021 Share #30 Posted June 2, 2021 2 hours ago, willeica said: Thanks Stephen. I would like to hear what Jerzy thinks of this as it seems to contradict the Hahne list. William That's a hard case , indeed... Wetzlar, traditionally, is considered the "final source" about info on specific items, but Hahne list is also regared as e seriously documented source.. and they are in full contradiction about this topic; imho, the answer from Leica, in this case, looks to me a bit too quick... and from a department ("customer care") which typically is in charge of other tasks... 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
willeica Posted June 2, 2021 Share #31 Posted June 2, 2021 4 minutes ago, luigi bertolotti said: That's a hard case , indeed... Wetzlar, traditionally, is considered the "final source" about info on specific items, but Hahne list is also regared as e seriously documented source.. and they are in full contradiction about this topic; imho, the answer from Leica, in this case, looks to me a bit too quick... and from a department ("customer care") which typically is in charge of other tasks... I would suspect that what Hahne had included his own expertise. I wonder if the code words I gave before are on the record? William 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
romualdo Posted June 3, 2021 Author Share #32 Posted June 3, 2021 (edited) 11 hours ago, luigi bertolotti said: That's a hard case , indeed... Wetzlar, traditionally, is considered the "final source" about info on specific items, but Hahne list is also regared as e seriously documented source.. and they are in full contradiction about this topic; imho, the answer from Leica, in this case, looks to me a bit too quick... and from a department ("customer care") which typically is in charge of other tasks... That's the feeling I get too Also, i've sent another email to Leica enquiring about the possible code plus whether they have any information on a repaint job (by Leica) Edited June 3, 2021 by romualdo Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerzy Posted June 3, 2021 Share #33 Posted June 3, 2021 well, I am still convinced that Hahgne list is correct and this camera was black paint. Few year ago they digitized delivery records and some of repair books, this is why the replies come so quick. Usually when inquiring specific serial number you will get the date when camera left the factory, and if available, as well dates of repairs/conversions done by Leitz. But not what has been repaired/converted. As mentioned before - the parts which are on the camera were never chromed, so if the the camera was really chromed when produced then top/bottom cover and top plate , eye viewer lever must have been replaced (not only black painted) and all chromed knobs eitrher replaced ar renickeled. Not impossible but very unprobably. 1 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubois pierre Posted June 4, 2021 Share #34 Posted June 4, 2021 Another example of a Leica III registered on the base as chrome and delivered black. "The case with the serial number 122335 is a chrome III manufactured in 1933". 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! 2 Quote 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/321360-leica-iii-black-paint-original-or-repaint/?do=findComment&comment=4213446'>More sharing options...
jerzy Posted June 4, 2021 Share #35 Posted June 4, 2021 ...and as well this one is shown in Hahne list as black paint.... 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! 2 Quote 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/321360-leica-iii-black-paint-original-or-repaint/?do=findComment&comment=4213757'>More sharing options...
romualdo Posted June 7, 2021 Author Share #36 Posted June 7, 2021 more information from Leica (sent them a second email) Dear Mr. Platt, the possibility exists that this camera has been rebuilt or repainted. In our old repair / maintenance books nothing is noted about this serial.Such conversions were also carried out by other external workshops at this time. According to the serial number, it is a Leica III chrome from 1933. Chrome versions had same codeword with „ chrome“ added. LYDRO (1933-1934) Leica III in black , body only LYMAR Leica III in black with 5 cm / 3.5 Elmar. Mit freundlichen Gruessen / kind regards Peter Brieger Leica Camera AG Customer Care Produkt Support Am Leitz-Park 5 / D-35578 Wetzlar www.leica-camera.com / peter.brieger@leica-camera.com Telephone 06441-2080111 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tranquilo67 Posted June 8, 2021 Share #37 Posted June 8, 2021 (edited) Hi, Once more, and based in my experience, I have to agree with Jerzy and, from my point of view the more reliable source is Hahne list. Here is my Standard serial 147575 that appears in most of the lists as chromed except in Band I, that appears as black. Band I is not error free but quite close to it. So I support the original black even when, of course, it's not NOS but very good condition. Best wishes and stay safe, Augusto PS: Yes, I know the Elmar 35 is not standard but he's waiting for the right body to surface 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! Hahne: Edited June 8, 2021 by tranquilo67 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Hahne: ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/321360-leica-iii-black-paint-original-or-repaint/?do=findComment&comment=4215772'>More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 8, 2021 Share #38 Posted June 8, 2021 On 5/31/2021 at 1:48 PM, earleygallery said: I would question the 'NOS' description. That may give up further information. New Old Stock should refer to new, as in not previously sold or used, items that are not longer current. For example, if a dealer had an unsold boxed unused M6 at the back of a cupboard, that would be NOS (as someone here bought a while ago). Yes, those were quite common a while back. I bought one around 2010. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nf3996 Posted June 8, 2021 Share #39 Posted June 8, 2021 My black paint Leica III (s/n 116111) also shows all the signs of being black from birth and the Hahne list confirms this. But several other lists in books and on the internet state that it should be chrome. There is a thread about this as below; I'm inclined to believe the Hahne list on mine and yours. Alan 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mretina Posted October 24, 2021 Share #40 Posted October 24, 2021 Anyone would be so kind to check a black III of 1933 on Band I, Hahne List - serial 117634. (That is an impossible to find book). Many thanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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