Leitz Elmar 3.5cm 1:3.5 no serial number

[Cpierce9515]

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Hello, picked up this lens and body with a kit as my first bit of Leica gear and wanted to know why there is no serial number and why it’s gold/bronze tinted.

Did a bit of googling and all I could really find was that it maybe came with an enlarging set? I’ve also seen the term “snail cam” what exactly is that. 
 

thank you 

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[willeica]

'Snail cam' or 'heavy cam' for the piece that operates the rangefinder. Prior to late 1931 Leica lenses did not have serial numbers. I have a heavy cam 3.5cm Elmar from 1932 , but it has a serial number. Prior to that, lenses only carried numbers (usually last 3 digits of the camera number) if they were being matched with a I Model C Non Standardised camera. The snail/heavy cam lenses with no serial numbers either had a cam in anticipation of cameras with rangefinders being produced or had the cam added later. The yellow is from the ageing nickel on the lens.

I hope that all of this is not too confusing. The period from 1930 to 1933 was one of immense and rapid change in Leitz/Leica product features.

William 

[Cpierce9515]

22 minutes ago, willeica said:

'Snail cam' or 'heavy cam' for the piece that operates the rangefinder. Prior to late 1931 Leica lenses did not have serial numbers. I have a heavy cam 3.5cm Elmar from 1932 , but it has a serial number. Prior to that, lenses only carried numbers (usually last 3 digits of the camera number) if they were being matched with a I Model C Non Standardised camera. The snail/heavy cam lenses with no serial numbers either had a cam in anticipation of cameras with rangefinders being produced or had the cam added later. The yellow is from the ageing nickel on the lens.

I hope that all of this is not too confusing. The period from 1930 to 1933 was one of immense and rapid change in Leitz/Leica product features.

William 

Thank you, that’s a perfect explanation.

[jc_braconi]

Usually this eleven o'clock lens was for use on camera with no slow speed selector like Leica standard or Leica C and  Leica II.

[Cpierce9515]

4 hours ago, jc_braconi said:

Usually this eleven o'clock lens was for use on camera with no slow speed selector like Leica standard or Leica C and  Leica II.

I have noticed that it does very slightly clip the slow speed dial when it moves past it

Edited March 28, 2023 by Cpierce9515