alan mcfall Posted April 17, 2023 Share #1  Posted April 17, 2023 Advertisement (gone after registration) With the introduction of the revolutionary die-cast IIIc (and IIId) in 1940, the production of the IIIa and IIIb seem to have been halted. There are no listing from 1940 to 1945 for the IIIa and from 1941 on for the IIIb in the Band 1 summary of factory records. In May 1947 the cost of the IIIc camera with a Summitar was $448. This was more than one-third the cost of a new 1947 Super Delux Ford car; and it was 775DM in Germany. Perhaps in order to offer a lower cost alternative, or a possible desire to use spare parts inventory, Leitz offered a re-release of the IIIa camera. Here, the records indicate that some 637 IIIa cameras were made in 1946-1950. I have never found a post war brochure listing these cameras, or their price. I have recorded many serial numbers in this time period and believe that an additional 175 IIIa cameras were likely made, in the 354xxx range. With more than 92,000 IIIa's produced, the post war quantity is relatively small. Here are two of these cameras in my collection. With 356879 on the left with "sharkskin" body covering, and 357049 on the right with regular body covering. I believe that in all other respects, they are the same as the pre-war versions. Perhaps there are some internal differences that someone can advise. This same time period saw the production of the Monte in Saar cameras in France, that were also based on the IIIa. A reported 504 of these cameras were made. Here it has been stated that this was to avoid a difficult tax situation at the time. 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! 7 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/375636-post-war-leica-iiia/?do=findComment&comment=4752102'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 17, 2023 Posted April 17, 2023 Hi alan mcfall, Take a look here Post war Leica IIIa. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
M9reno Posted April 17, 2023 Share #2 Â Posted April 17, 2023 I believe the Leica 72 was yet another small post-war production based on the IIIa chassis. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerzy Posted April 18, 2023 Share #3  Posted April 18, 2023 (edited) Am 17.4.2023 um 06:05 schrieb alan mcfall: Perhaps there are some internal differences yes, it is possible that your sharkskin may have already improved curtain brake. Pre IIIc camera have relatively simply brake, U-formed spring (regular brake on the photo). My postwar IIIb 357109 (marked as IIIa in delivery ledger) has sharkskin covering and has improved brake, concept taken from IIIc. Similarly, on Monte en Saare 359146 I have seen as well sharkskin and improved brake) 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! I would appreciate Alan if you could check and let us know what kind of brake is in your both postwar. Thx! Edited April 18, 2023 by jerzy Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! I would appreciate Alan if you could check and let us know what kind of brake is in your both postwar. Thx! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/375636-post-war-leica-iiia/?do=findComment&comment=4752831'>More sharing options...
alan mcfall Posted April 19, 2023 Author Share #4 Â Posted April 19, 2023 Both post war IIIa cameras, 356879 and 357049 have the new improved brake style. My IIIb 353974, which I thought was post war, has the old early brake. My post war standards (E) are 355050 with old brake; and 355276 with new improved brake. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giuliobigazzi Posted April 21, 2023 Share #5  Posted April 21, 2023 just spotted this really late 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! 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/375636-post-war-leica-iiia/?do=findComment&comment=4755025'>More sharing options...
PG Black nickel Posted April 21, 2023 Share #6  Posted April 21, 2023 It’s a IIIb….! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giuliobigazzi Posted April 21, 2023 Share #7 Â Posted April 21, 2023 Advertisement (gone after registration) Of course..! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Black nickel Posted April 21, 2023 Share #8 Â Posted April 21, 2023 Initially, it was a II (model d) converted after war. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FPangrazi Posted April 25, 2023 Share #9  Posted April 25, 2023 From the factory dario in my possession, we read this wording written on October 30, 1947: 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! 2000 rangefinder cameras IIIa No. 356501 – 358500  Production Instructions No. 100 (2000 pieces) 3 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 2000 rangefinder cameras IIIa No. 356501 – 358500  Production Instructions No. 100 (2000 pieces) ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/375636-post-war-leica-iiia/?do=findComment&comment=4758378'>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