Swedish military IIIg - with Summicron, shutter speed (on top dial) "30" in white (as opposed to red) and both flash icons in red (as opposed to one only)

[ApoVision]

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Dear all - there is an offer for an Swedish military IIIg (987911; on tutti ch) - photos attached. Shutter speed on top dial (30) is in white enamel (I know only of cameras in red enamel) and both flash icons in red (I have only seen cameras with one flash icon in red).

Further, the camera comes with a 50mm Cron (Reddotcameras: "The Lens with serial Number 1092434 is a Summicron 50mm f/2, build in the year 1953. 6000 were made." The camera appeares to have been manufactured in 1960 (Lager, vol I, p 98).

Lager (vol I, p 98) notes that usually, these Leicas came with an 50 Elmar or the 35 Summaron, then stating that "it is possible that other focal lengths exist with the crown isignia". I have asked the seller to share photos of the lens insignia.

How probable is it that this combo is legit?

Thanks for your support.

 

 

 

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[jankap]

Somewhat higher, you can find the switch LeicaWiki. Swedish IIIg´s are documented with similar numbers.

[dg4mgr]

A google image search on "Leica swedish army" will show several similar IIIg. Note the shutter release button is chrome on them, not black. Maybe the black paint on this camera has been redone, and so the flash symbol went red by accident? 

[ApoVision]

Thanks for your help - just wanted to confirm this is a botched up repaint job where the underlying material might be a legit Swedish army Leica. The shutter release material difference had escaped my attention. Interestingly, the seller deleted my question, also on the platform ricardo (https://www.ricardo.ch/de/a/leica-iiig-schwarz-three-crowns-1290484698/). I put it there again, being more specific.

 

[dg4mgr]

At least the serial number of the camera matches the reported Swedish military batch: "Only 125 units of these cameras were built by special order of the Swedish Army, all finished in black paint. Their serial numbers range from 987901 to 988025, and they are engraved with the three “Crowns of Sweden” on the rear side of the top plate."

Source: https://leicarumors.com/2025/06/10/leica-cameras-and-lenses-at-the-upcoming-2025-spring-lidong-camera-photo-auction.aspx/

 

[SpotmaticSP]

Looking at this camera I have my doubts. The finish is not OK. Also the finish of the slow speed dial is suspect. I wouldn't touch it.

[wizard]

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vor 20 Stunden schrieb SpotmaticSP:

The finish is not OK.

That's what I thought, too. In particular where the light reflects off the upper beveled edge of the body, doesn't look right to me.

Edited July 31 by wizard

[ApoVision]

Thanks everybody. The seller‘s other items include mostly items for $100, clothing, nippes. I have been suspicious from the very beginning … won‘t touch