mystery leica

[Fall]

I enjoy fixing old cameras, and ebay is a great place to buy crap that doesn't work. So I found a black paint leica in quite rough condition (optically), which appears to be a leica iiia, with slow speeds, but it’s top speed is 1/500, and when the serial number is checked it’s a chrome leica iii… it’s not a zorki or something. Curious on your all’s thoughts.

edit: corrected "don't" to "doesn't".

 

[AgX]

Is there chrome under the laquer?

 

[Fall]

Is there chrome under the laquer?

it doesn't appear like it.. The camera is cosmetically perfect, just caked in dust.

 

[Fall]

Would someone have had leica lacquer the chrome finish..? I was under the impression that the chrome was more valuable back then..

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Among different web sites I've seen discrepancies in serial number listings - specifically as to chrome and black.

I use the information on Cameraquest.

 

[Gerald C Koch]

Is there chrome under the laquer?

Paint\lacquer doesn't take well over chrome it tends to flake off. The chrome should have be taken off with acid down to the brass before painting. Seems like some is trying to make the camera look like another Leica model. Often this is done to make the camera look like a Luftwaffe gray model which are very are and highly sort after. That's why the serial number doesn't' jive.

 

[Fall]

hmm interesting. as it's just a black camera, no gray colour. the guy claims he bought it at an estate sale, and doesn't know anything about it. I'm going to pass on it. There are plenty of crummy leicas out there. Anyway, thanks folks for the theories.

 

[summicron1]

Everyone -- including Steve Gandy -- who compiles a list of Leica serial numbers and models is careful to note that it is the best possible, but that there are always variations--Leica upgraded cameras as a matter of course, so many no longer match what their serial number says they should look like.

If the Leica is in good working order, at a good price, you lose nothing by buying it since Leicas -- unique in the camera collecting world -- are pretty much as good as cash, rarely losing value between sales.