Shac Posted March 3 Share #1 Posted March 3 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) I’m not looking for a value, but I would appreciate any information about this Leica I A. So far its serial number (21050) shows that it was from a batch of 8,178 in 1929, but it seems that it was updated to a interchangeable thread version. But no “O” on the thread mount so would this suggest not a universal interchangeable mount? There’s a No. 16 scratched on the negative mask shown in the last image. The negative masks are scratched as if someone other than who scratched 16 had messed with it. No lens came with it and it’s been stored for several years in a Leitz leather case (not an eveready) – resulting in very poor condition. The case also contained a cardboard container with 2 Leitz reloadable film cartridges, and a FODIS rangefinder (29940) in feet. Any suggestions any of you have would be most gratefully received. I will also try contacting Leitz records to see if hey have any record of any work Thank you in advance David 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! Edited March 3 by Shac 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/419649-request-for-help-with-a-leica-i-a/?do=findComment&comment=5767005'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 3 Posted March 3 Hi Shac, Take a look here Request for help with a Leica I A. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
willeica Posted March 3 Share #2 Posted March 3 I can't help you with the No 16, but a number of I Model As were converted to Non Standardised I Model Cs in 1930. Here is No 2958 from 1927 which was modified in 1930. This is in my collection and it features 958 engraved on the lens to indicate matching. I am posting some photos here in case they might be of assistance to you. 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! William 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! William ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/419649-request-for-help-with-a-leica-i-a/?do=findComment&comment=5767017'>More sharing options...
alan mcfall Posted March 4 Share #3 Posted March 4 The thread mount ring looks chrome. Leitz dropped the "O" at some point. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shac Posted March 4 Author Share #4 Posted March 4 Thank you William. I am looking into the camera for a friend of a friend and will have to see if they have a lens hidden away. Alan - thank you also. I have just written to info@leica-camera.com to see if they have any records. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shac Posted March 6 Author Share #5 Posted March 6 I just received the following reply from Peter Briger "The camera with the serial 21050 was delivered 15.08.1929 to "New York", the recipient is not noted. No entry for services in the old repair books or current system. Unfortunately I cannot answer your other questions." So looks like the end of the road Thank you both again. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted March 6 Share #6 Posted March 6 The lens mount conversion may have been carried out by some camera repairer - there's lots of examples of non factory mods. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
willeica Posted March 6 Share #7 Posted March 6 Advertisement (gone after registration) 5 hours ago, Shac said: I just received the following reply from Peter Briger "The camera with the serial 21050 was delivered 15.08.1929 to "New York", the recipient is not noted. No entry for services in the old repair books or current system. Unfortunately I cannot answer your other questions." So looks like the end of the road Thank you both again. David This what Peter told me about my No 2958 camera above. The second visit to Wetzlar was probably when the conversion took place. "The Serial 2958 was shipped on April 7th, 1927. The place of delivery or recipient is not noted. The camera was in our workshop for repair on 23.12.1930, what was done is not noted, probably converted" The chrome mount on 21050 would seem to date the conversion to much later. The '0' on the mount was gone by the late 1930s /early 1940s. This would not have been put on in 1930/1. The rewind knob looks original. When I Model As were converted to Standards from 1932 onwards, the rewind knob was often replaced with the narrower extendible version. I have a number of examples of that in my collection. Here is a converted camera fitted with a Dallmeyer lens on a Standardised Mount. 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! William 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! William ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/419649-request-for-help-with-a-leica-i-a/?do=findComment&comment=5768372'>More sharing options...
Shac Posted March 6 Author Share #8 Posted March 6 5 hours ago, earleygallery said: The lens mount conversion may have been carried out by some camera repairer - there's lots of examples of non factory mods. That's what I surmised James. But we shall probably never know. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shac Posted March 6 Author Share #9 Posted March 6 Thank you William. 21050 is in very poor shape. That, and the latest information I did find was when the owner contacted Tom Abrahamson - and in their email correspondence it was clear that there was no lens with the body, suggests it will have very little value unless someone wishes to spend a lot. It needs more than a CLA. So I will pass on all the (limited) information to the late owner's family Thank you all again for suggestions and information. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shac Posted July 2 Author Share #10 Posted July 2 Hello again everyone – the most recent development with the 1929 I (A) I asked about some time ago, is that during a CLA, the vulcanite was removed at my request (it was loose & pieces were falling off). Given that this is a 1929 Leica I (A) from the serial number (21050) which would originally had the non-removable lens, shouldn’t there have been 2 threaded holes for attaching the “hockey stick? As shown in the image below there are not. Any comments/suggestions/ideas would be appreciated. As a side note, previously I stated that there is no “O” on the thread mount - indicating a universal thread mount. However, during the CLA, several shims were found between the body and the thread mount – so without running a film through, I wonder if the mount was adjusted for universal focus. Leica when contacted had no record of repairs or upgrades after it was delivered 15.08.1929 to "New York". Thank you for any suggestions as always David 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! 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/419649-request-for-help-with-a-leica-i-a/?do=findComment&comment=5827575'>More sharing options...
pedaes Posted July 2 Share #11 Posted July 2 5 minutes ago, Shac said: any suggestions Could it have top plate from another body? Or a new body shell? So difficult to know what might have happened to it in last 96 years. It will be what it is when the CLA completed - a fine old camera. Enjoy! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shac Posted July 2 Author Share #12 Posted July 2 2 good question but I doubt I'll ever know the answers. As you say it's still a fine camera Thank you Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerzy Posted July 3 Share #13 Posted July 3 (edited) camera was produced as IA (with hockey stick) is IC however. Body shell with vulcanite (that was first photos) originates from early/mid 30-ties. Lens flange is chrom plated (until approx 1936/37 they were nickel plated on black paint cameras) and is post-war. Shims under the lens flange are very often to be found on IA/IC/eralier II and are not neccessarily indication of camera being standartized. But I believe it is. Good repair shop shall have possibility to check the distance flange-film plane and adjust it to 28,8mm if needed Edited July 3 by jerzy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shac Posted July 3 Author Share #14 Posted July 3 Thank you very much for your reply Jerzy. However, I am a little confused. The serial number gives a production date of 1929 and Leica records show it was delivered to New York in 1929. So do you think that the body shell could have been changed from a 1(A) to a 1 (C) at some time (as Paedes proposed) presumably after it arrived in New York? Again thank you for your ideas and taking the time to respond David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerzy Posted July 3 Share #15 Posted July 3 David, body shell was replaced after mid 1931, it is missing holes for hockey stick. Vulcanite structure let me think that it was later, something like 1933/34. At this time conversion from IA to IC took place most probably. But the lens flange on the camera now (missing 0 and chrome plated) is post-war Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shac Posted July 3 Author Share #16 Posted July 3 Jerzy - Thank you - now I understand. I really appreciate your help and explanations. Best regards David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpotmaticSP Posted July 4 Share #17 Posted July 4 It goes to show that it's actually very hard to find an early Leica that hasn't been fiddled with, either by a former owner or Leitz themselves. I have a Leica II with I serial number (meaning it was once upgraded by Leitz, their records also showed that), but during service (by Jerzy!) it was discovered that nothing of the original camera exists in my II. Maybe they re-used some knobs or other small parts, but at least the body was completely replaced with a newer one. I even have a 1939 Leica Standard with 10XXX serial number. Also in that example nothing exists of the original 1928 camera. I think replacing bodies made it easier for Leitz to maintain their "update program'. Instead of hassling employees with upgrading old cameras (which may be worn or broken and thus difficult to upgrade), they just engraved old numbers on new bodies. Especially when the work involves more than adding some simple parts as strap lugs. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedaes Posted July 4 Share #18 Posted July 4 38 minutes ago, SpotmaticSP said: cameras (which may be worn or broken and thus difficult to upgrade), they just engraved old numbers on new bodies. Especially when the work involves more than adding some simple parts as strap lugs. This is an interesting observation which may well be correct as it probably made economic sense. @jerzy must have had to give owners some ‘bad’ news over the years. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted July 4 Share #19 Posted July 4 2 hours ago, SpotmaticSP said: I think replacing bodies made it easier for Leitz to maintain their "update program'. Instead of hassling employees with upgrading old cameras (which may be worn or broken and thus difficult to upgrade), they just engraved old numbers on new bodies. Especially when the work involves more than adding some simple parts as strap lugs. I think this was pretty common. I have a IIIf Red Dial with a serial of a 1936 IIIa which had the smaller body, etc. than the IIIf - so it must be a new body (likely complete camera) with the old serial number. This shows that practice continued into the 1950s. Labor to swap usable parts into the "upgraded" camera would have been more than the cost of just using a new assembly. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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