Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/01/11

[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]

Subject: [Leica] A REAL LEICA OR A COUNTERFIT?
From: len-001 at verizon.net (Leonard Taupier)
Date: Sun Jan 11 06:48:58 2009
References: <79pc8o$1r6qik@pd6mo1no-svcs.prod.shaw.ca>

Ted,

Most likely the camera is a Russian copy of the Leica II. Maybe a  
Fed. The first thing to look at is the front frame around the  
rangefinder window. If it is rectangular shaped it is 99% Russian.  
The Leica II has a step in the frame where the screw attaches it to  
the top cover. Also the Russian copy does not have a round  
rangefinder cam. Of course the tipoff is the eagle on the top cover.  
Generally these cameras are not passed off by the dealer as a Leica  
but sold for what they are, a novelty. They are also generally sold  
with a copy 5cm Elmar. Generally the price with lens is about US  
$250.00. You can see some of them for sale at KEH under Leica  
Screwmount, Camera outfits.

The serious counterfeits are much more difficult to spot  like copies  
of the Leica IA or the model 72 half frame.

Len


On Jan 11, 2009, at 12:16 AM, Ted Grant wrote:

> Hi crew,
>
> This note with a question from my son Scott this evening:
>
>
>
> Scott asked:
>
>>> I was over at a friends place tonight and he has an old Leica  
>>> that he had
> bought off this old Russian guy a couple of years back, on the top  
> of the
> camera it has embossed 1936 Munich Olympic, has the German bird  
> crest and
> the serial number 10606.
>
>
>
> The question is, do you know anyone in the LUG that may be able to  
> tell or
> trace the serial number and find out if it's the real deal or a  
> knock off.
> The camera is in really good shape. <<<<<,
>
>
>
> There you go folks that's the question.
>
> I looked in a few real old Leica books but couldn't find any serial  
> number
> information.
>
>
>
> Anyone out there like to take a shot at answering Scott's question?
>
>
>
> Thank you in advance.
>
> ted
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Leica Users Group.
> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information


In reply to: Message from tedgrant at shaw.ca (Ted Grant) ([Leica] A REAL LEICA OR A COUNTERFIT?)