Wartime Summitar Belag

[Giuliobigazzi]

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Anti-reflective coating on Leitz lenses was introduced in the post-war years, although a few experimental examples were produced as early as 1941. This Summitar was delivered on 19 November 1942 as a Belag (coated) lens, indicated by the letter “B” in the delivery ledger.

The delivery number, 29815, is particularly interesting. Between August and December 1942, cameras and lenses were shipped to Berlin as part of a strategic stocking effort to maintain supply for the German forces. From Berlin, these lenses and cameras were engraved accordingly and redistributed to various military branches, including Heer  and SS-KBA units. Unfortunately records of these secondary shipments were not recorded or have been lost. 

There are examples such as this Summitar  that remain free of military engravings, but  nonetheless, they are a fascinating glimpse into early lens technology. 

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[alan mcfall]

Interesting, your lens looks to be serial   578435, I have lens   578436 the next  higher serial. I'm not sure if it is coated, but would like to know what the delivery ledger states.

I do have 587220 which does seem to have a blue coating.

 

 

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Edited 7 hours ago by alan mcfall
typo

[Giuliobigazzi]

Hi Alan, so cool seeing the next serial up! Your lens went to Zacharias in Regensburg on 11.5.42 and does not have the B for Belag. You’d have to check 587220, could well be the same delivery as mine. I don’t think the serials picked were in any particular order, maybe they were unused serials, seen as 578434 is April, 578435 November and 578436 May.