This M is M2? or M3?

[quuiiz215]

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I am not good at english, 

I am sorry if you feel uncomportable

anyway

I have old leica M2.

But it has bayonet mount button guide.

(Only M3 have it, right?)

 

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[a.noctilux]

Why bother ?

Some parts are same in Leica M construction of same period, depending on the availability and if those are compatible .

Maybe your M2 (if it's the marking on the top) uses M3's part when constructed or maybe when repaired in the past.

Very simple, If the VF has M2 framelines, it's M2.

Or M3's framelines, it's M3.

Edited August 16, 2024 by a.noctilux

[Anbaric]

Sometimes you will find an M3 where a technician has replaced the rangefinder and framelines with those from an M2. But of course there are many other features that are different in an original M2  - the engraving on the top, the external frame counter, the lack of frames around the VF and RF windows, the ridged fresnel rather than ground glass frameline illuminator window, etc. Is the guard around the lens release button the (only) feature that is different on this one? Post photos of the top and front of the camera if you want better informed comments.

[Mute-on]

The addition of a lens release button collar is a common modification to M2 (and others). Even if your M2 did not have one initially, it is very possible it was added some time in the last 60 years. This does not suggest it is modified in any other way from original.