[Leica] Questions about recent M3 repair

[bruceslomovitz at comcast.net (bruceslomovitz@comcast.net)]

I recently sent a chrome M3 to a well known repair person.  I will not 
mention the person's name at this point as I do not wish to  impune his 
reputation.  The M3 was in reasonably good shapen when I sent it.  It had 
new strap lugs, a new shutter curtain, new leatherette, etc.  The only thing 
about it which detracted from it's appearance was that the top and bottom 
plates were scratched and dented.  

The repair person said it would be too expensive to remove the dents and 
re-chrome.  He therefore offered to procure new top and bottom plates from 
Leica.  The camera looks quite new now.  However I subsequently learned from 
E. Puts that to his knowledge, Leica does not supply new top and bottom 
plates.  I'm wondering if anyone has any insight into where these plates may 
have come from.  They look genuine but I'm no expert.  

Does anyone have any techniques for determining the authenticity or origin 
of the plates?

Appreciate your input.

Bruce S.