Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/01/14
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Hi Gil, Sorry to disillusion you, but your camera is indeed a IIIf. It perhaps started life as a Ic, and was later factory converted. Such 'upgrades' were routinely done at the Wetzlar factory, even since the early days of Leica I(A). They usually maintained the original serial number, and for that reason you can now find Leica II's and Leica III's with SN's that correspond to earlier models. The IIId exists and is indeed a very rare camera, derived from the IIIc first version (pre-war model) and built in less than 450 samples. Both IIIc pre war and IIId have a step under the rewind lever (A-R lever) to the right of the rangefinder housing. The IIId has a selftimer and the IIIc doesn't. Serial numbers are all below the 400,000 threshold that marked the beginning of post war production (1945-46). It is said that IIId production ceased as either there was a shortage of selftimer mechanisms (I seem to recall they were produced in Switzerland) or either it was a very unreliable mechanism. A Leica IIId commands a very high price amongst collectors, with very nice samples approaching the USD 10,000 tag. If they can find one. Best regards, Ed Albesi www.sololeicas.com El 15/01/2005, a las 0:38, Gil Gabo escribi?: > Hey guys. I found this quote, "Based on the early > IIIc, there had been another, extremely rare model > (only 427 were made): The IIId, a IIIc with > self-timer" at this link: > > http://www.ozdoba.net/leica/schraub_IIIc_e.html > > Is it possible that I have one of those rare IIId > bodies??? Boy, this wouldn't be the first time I've > let a 'rare' specimen pass through my hands, unknown > to me at the time. > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >