Case Leica Luftwaffe ?

[MarekC]

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Dear forum members, I have a problem with classifying a Leica camera case. Since I collect old cameras a bit, I managed to buy a FED 1 C from 1938. I was very surprised when I found that the case was very damaged and not a FED. The case fits perfectly, but I have never seen one like it and despite searching, I have not found it anywhere. It is sewn differently than other cases and has DRGM embossed on it, which means a proprietary model and a latch with a decorative finish. The latch has the inscription DEUTSCHE ARBEIT - NAPPA. Nappa is high-quality leather. I found clothes, gloves ... Luftwaffe with similar clasps - latches also in brown. I suppose that this is a small series of cases for some Leica Luftwaffe. Unfortunately, I have not found a similar case anywhere. Maybe someone has knowledge on this subject. Please help me identify this case. [Google translation - sorry for any mistakes]

Marek. 

 

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[andybarton]

Can you post some photos of the case?

[MarekC]

I would really like to show the photos but I don't have the URL and I can't do it.       Marek.

[jaapv]

It does not sound like it is legitimate;   a strange text and 90% of Luftwaffe Leica is fake and worthless, but as Andy says without a photo there is really nothing we can say. 

[MarekC]

Sorry, but I've never used forums and I don't know my way around the internet. I have photos, I just can't send them.

[jerzy]

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Edited April 12 by jerzy

[MarekC]

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Case:

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[jaapv]

My opinion: That button looks much newer than the case. Somebody just stuck it on as a joke or to replace a broken latch, one might even fantasize that some Luftwaffe pilot did so after removing it from his gloves, but absolutely no proof of that. Note that case is not made of Nappa leather as far as can be judged from the photographs . Nappa is soft, pliable and thin, and, as you note, used for raincoats and gloves.

[willeica]

It is an ESNAR style case, but there is no evidence of it being supplied by Leica or of any Luftwaffe connection. The variation among such cases in the early days was very great and they were basically just craft products where the style was left to the case maker. It was much later before Leitz/Leica began to standardise styles and features etc. I could not judge on the Nappa issue without handling the case. It is not particularly valuable. Your biggest issue is finding someone who is willing and able to repair the case.

William 

[MarekC]

No one produced such a case adapted to Leica and FED cameras. So maybe I produced it. I am sorry that there are specialists who, based on a photo, determine the authenticity of the clamp - latch. I have this case in my hands and I can see that it is an original. I do not know who produced it and why, but it is a very old case.

 

 

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[BernardC]

1 hour ago, jaapv said:

My opinion: That button looks much newer than the case. Somebody just stuck it on as a joke or to replace a broken latch, one might even fantasize that some Luftwaffe pilot did so after removing it from his gloves, but absolutely no proof of that. Note that case is not made of Nappa leather as far as can be judged from the photographs . Nappa is soft, pliable and thin, and, as you note, used for raincoats and gloves.

I agree. Nappa leather is chromium-tanned and very soft. The case looks like a vegetable-tanned leather, and the colour doesn't match. Perhaps it was a later replacement, or it is indicative of material shortages at the time it was produced.

[MarekC]

 ...... Nappa is soft, flexible and slim, and as you can see, used for raincoats and gloves. BernardC . .......... It's sad that people who have no idea about photography write on the LEICA photography forum. Just look at Amazon or photography stores - to this day Leica cases are made of Nappa leather. . Cases, belts, shoes, handbags have been made of Nappa leather for a very long time. I thought this was a photography forum for professionals, but this is just nonsense and incompetent. Too bad.

[BernardC]

Marek, I have a recent Leica case covered in thin leather, however mid-20th century cases, suitcases, belts are more likely to be made of thicker/sturdier veg-tanned leather, which is what your case looks like. 

I didn't question your case's authenticity, I just don't think that the whole case is nappa leather. 

[jerzy]

vor 44 Minuten schrieb MarekC:

It's sad that people who have no idea about photography write on the LEICA photography forum.

you would wonder how much knowlege and expertise forum members have. You may believe or not but this not not Leitz produced case, Leitz did not stamped DRGM on their cases. There are however third party cases, produced in Germany having DRGM stamped, just as example Dielemann case.
Your case remindes me very much on russian case, early FED, reworked

[pedaes]

1 hour ago, MarekC said:

...... It's sad that people who have no idea about photography write on the LEICA photography forum.

You are correct, it is a photography forum. It is not a forum about old leather cases not made by Leitz. Big leap to suggest no knowledge about any old case suggests no knowledge of photography.

 

[250swb]

4 hours ago, MarekC said:

Sorry, but I've never used forums and I don't know my way around the internet. I have photos, I just can't send them.

 

It's usually being an old hand at the internet that makes people rude and aggressive, I guess you are naturally gifted. 

To the matter at hand, I don't see a Luftwaffe connection and unless it has a stamp on it saying so there is no proof. Here is a photo of a genuine leather Luftwaffe case on this web page

https://cameraquest.com/luft.htm

 

Edited April 12 by 250swb

[qqphot]

When coming to ask questions, it is better if you haven't already chosen the answer you prefer, and become angry when told something else.

[MarekC]

 Sorry, but every camera case is photographic equipment. So we're talking about photography. This case is not Leitz's but is for Leitz I, II, III cameras. I've seen leather products with such a clasp at an auction - e.g. a knife case. These are German products. My suggestion that it might be Luftwaffe is with a question mark ???. But it was the German army that ordered small series of unusual equipment. In addition, the army had a lot of equipment marked Nappa. I don't make up fairy tales, I just state facts. And that's why I asked if anyone had seen such a case for Leica. Leica equipment, Fed. Zorki I know well. I've been a professional photographer all my life, which is why answers without specifics irritate me. If it's not allowed to write about Leica equipment on this forum just because it's not equipment with the Leica mark, then I'm very sorry. I won't write more.

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[pedaes]

12 minutes ago, MarekC said:

because it's not equipment with the Leica mark

There is plenty of discussion here about non Leica made items which is totally acceptable. It is the suggestion that "It's sad that people who have no idea about photography write on the LEICA photography forum" that we find offensive.

[willeica]

20 hours ago, MarekC said:

 Sorry, but every camera case is photographic equipment. So we're talking about photography. This case is not Leitz's but is for Leitz I, II, III cameras. I've seen leather products with such a clasp at an auction - e.g. a knife case. These are German products. My suggestion that it might be Luftwaffe is with a question mark ???. But it was the German army that ordered small series of unusual equipment. In addition, the army had a lot of equipment marked Nappa. I don't make up fairy tales, I just state facts. And that's why I asked if anyone had seen such a case for Leica. Leica equipment, Fed. Zorki I know well. I've been a professional photographer all my life, which is why answers without specifics irritate me. If it's not allowed to write about Leica equipment on this forum just because it's not equipment with the Leica mark, then I'm very sorry. I won't write more.

I think you need to relax as you are 'among friends' here. I gave you some advice on this and I am the author of some 60 or 70 articles about old Leicas and their accessories. I have in my collection maybe 20 or 30 Leitz leather cases, some going back to the 1920s. Likewise for many of the other people here. You have come to place where there is a considerable amount of expertise and knowledge.  Some of the cases supplied with Leicas were not directly made by the Leitz firm. As I pointed out, these were largely craft items made either by Leitz staff or by outside entities. As for whether the leather in your case is Nappa, I indicated that only an examination of the item would reveal whether this is what the case is made from and as Keith (pedaes) has pointed out this is not a Leica specific issue. As far as I can observe you have received as much friendly and specific advice as is possible online. 

I have seen nothing to change my original friendly advice given above. 

William 

PS It is absolutely permissible to write about non Leica cases here. 

Edited April 13 by willeica