S. H. Posted May 4, 2024 Share #1 Posted May 4, 2024 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello, I just bought this pretty IIIc stepper in Japan: 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 could be a nice platform for my original LTM Biogon. I did some research on various forums / websites to see when it could have been produced. Maybe 1944 or 1945? I read that some in this serial range were chrome IIIcK assembled in 1945 and delivered to US forces... - is this possible to contact Leica to know more? -how is the K shutter identified (not sure the curtains are originals, the white K stamp is not shown on the pictures I have) ? I intend to have it serviced when it arrives, it could be be useful to have pictures of some internal parts taken while is is dismantled. Any comment welcome, thanks! 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! It could be a nice platform for my original LTM Biogon. I did some research on various forums / websites to see when it could have been produced. Maybe 1944 or 1945? I read that some in this serial range were chrome IIIcK assembled in 1945 and delivered to US forces... - is this possible to contact Leica to know more? -how is the K shutter identified (not sure the curtains are originals, the white K stamp is not shown on the pictures I have) ? I intend to have it serviced when it arrives, it could be be useful to have pictures of some internal parts taken while is is dismantled. Any comment welcome, thanks! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/393831-a-late-wartime-iiic-maybe-a-k/?do=findComment&comment=5250446'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 4, 2024 Posted May 4, 2024 Hi S. H., Take a look here A late wartime IIIc, maybe a K?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Anbaric Posted May 4, 2024 Share #2 Posted May 4, 2024 21 minutes ago, S. H. said: I did some research on various forums / websites to see when it could have been produced. Maybe 1944 or 1945? I read that some in this serial range were chrome IIIcK assembled in 1945 and delivered to US forces... - is this possible to contact Leica to know more? Yes, I've found info@leica-camera.com helpful for queries like this - they can check the archive to see if there's a delivery record. Welcome to the forum! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alphonse2501 Posted May 4, 2024 Share #3 Posted May 4, 2024 I can put my bet on this serial number falls between May to July 1945. My stepper IIIc 392077 was delivered to Amerika Armee on 15.8.1945. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerzy Posted May 5, 2024 Share #4 Posted May 5, 2024 (edited) your camera may be "hidden" K, may be "half-race" or might have no ball bearings- At this time cameras were assembled from leftover parts,k fonud all there variants within 1945 cameras. Opening the camera (shutter will have to be dismounted) will clearly show what it is. Some time ago I posted here more details about how the K looks inside Edited May 5, 2024 by jerzy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
S. H. Posted May 5, 2024 Author Share #5 Posted May 5, 2024 Thanks! I'll report back when I have the camera, and with the Leica answer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
willeica Posted May 5, 2024 Share #6 Posted May 5, 2024 9 hours ago, S. H. said: Hello, I just bought this pretty IIIc stepper in Japan: 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 could be a nice platform for my original LTM Biogon. I did some research on various forums / websites to see when it could have been produced. Maybe 1944 or 1945? I read that some in this serial range were chrome IIIcK assembled in 1945 and delivered to US forces... - is this possible to contact Leica to know more? -how is the K shutter identified (not sure the curtains are originals, the white K stamp is not shown on the pictures I have) ? I intend to have it serviced when it arrives, it could be be useful to have pictures of some internal parts taken while is is dismantled. Any comment welcome, thanks! Let us know what the archive says. Meanwhile, you may find this useful William 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
S. H. Posted May 14, 2024 Author Share #7 Posted May 14, 2024 Advertisement (gone after registration) Leica has answered, #391364 was shipped to the US forces on August 4th, 1945. 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/393831-a-late-wartime-iiic-maybe-a-k/?do=findComment&comment=5279416'>More sharing options...
S. H. Posted May 29, 2024 Author Share #8 Posted May 29, 2024 I received the camera today, it looks barely used. Also, very clean, no visible rust/green goo or wear except some film cartridge rubbed the paint inside the baseplate, just some specks of dried grease around the rewind knob. My gut feeling is someone partially dismantled it at some point to get it working as some screws were touched. RF a bit misaligned. Slow speeds OK by ear, I think the higher speeds are out of whack. No white K on shutter curtains that I can see... It does not look like an 80 year old camera. I was thinking of shipping it off to the Leica repairman I know to have some pictures of the innards and have a final identification. I'll report back with the results. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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