TLG Posted March 14 Share #1 Posted March 14 Advertisement (gone after registration) I was rummaging through a box of Barnack-era bits & bobs and found an ORTVO lens opening cover ("body cap") but instead of the usual chrome it's all-black with "E. Leitz New York" stamped into the front. Does anyone have any information on this variant? Many thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 14 Posted March 14 Hi TLG, Take a look here Leica ORTVO [New York] All-Black Body Cap (Lens Opening Cover). I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
TLG Posted March 14 Author Share #2 Posted March 14 Managed to take a photo of it, anyway. 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/419824-leica-ortvo-new-york-all-black-body-cap-lens-opening-cover/?do=findComment&comment=5771699'>More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted March 14 Share #3 Posted March 14 (edited) I think it must be very old... looks that some catalogs indeed listed both codes ORTVO and ORTVO CHROM (*), but others do list ORTVO only, describing it as chrome; but I cannot find more precise evidences... the front engraving can suggest some vague hint about the age... the fact that it's a NY device does not necessarly mean that it was a USA only item (*) the "ancillary" code CHROM was used for other components too Edited March 14 by luigi bertolotti 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLG Posted March 14 Author Share #4 Posted March 14 I imagine it must be pre-war as I think all post-war ORTVO were "chrome" only. I checked an old period catalogue (c. 1936) and indeed it listed both ORTVO and ORTVO CHROM as you say. I've never seen another body cap quite like this (at least with the E.Leitz|New York imprint). 32 minutes ago, luigi bertolotti said: the fact that it's a NY device does not necessarly mean that it was a USA only item Interesting, I did not know that! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted March 14 Share #5 Posted March 14 (edited) By logic... a chrome body cap "fits fine" on a chrome body... and vice-versa for blacks : up to around 1938 (IIIb) most of Leicas were black... your cap can be reasonably dated to "around half '30s" Edited March 14 by luigi bertolotti 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLG Posted March 14 Author Share #6 Posted March 14 Thank you. Strange I've never seen another one like it (so far). Does anybody here in the forums have the same? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan mcfall Posted March 14 Share #7 Posted March 14 Advertisement (gone after registration) Here are a few, mostly chrome, a few black. Appear to be a casting of light metal under the black paint,not brass. the last photo shows one possibly early with cast logo and a possibly later vintage one with engraved logo. One chrome one has a perfect hole in the center, for what I don't know. 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! 5 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/419824-leica-ortvo-new-york-all-black-body-cap-lens-opening-cover/?do=findComment&comment=5771967'>More sharing options...
alan mcfall Posted March 15 Share #8 Posted March 15 3 black non-New York body caps shown here. made in Wetzlar I guess. Center cap is black paint over brass I believe, 24.5gm. Right cap is back anodized aluminum I believe, 9.5gm. The left cap is plastic (bakelite?) with the leica script. All screw into the body. 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! 2 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/419824-leica-ortvo-new-york-all-black-body-cap-lens-opening-cover/?do=findComment&comment=5772029'>More sharing options...
TLG Posted March 15 Author Share #9 Posted March 15 (edited) Wonderful! Thank you for posting the pictures. I should weigh it and see where it sits in the sequence. I suspect aluminium rather than brass. 🙂 Edited March 15 by TLG Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted March 15 Share #10 Posted March 15 8 hours ago, alan mcfall said: 3 black non-New York body caps shown here. made in Wetzlar I guess. ....The left cap is plastic (bakelite?) with the leica script. All screw into the body. Imho the most arcane... 🤔 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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