I just saw a very special leica... looks like a standard or 1C... but no viewfinder just a second socket (square like in 1f) ... no rangefinder... something in between a standard and a 1f ? looks old and not fake... comes with two old elmars (35 an 50 3,5 to 18) and a multifocal viewfinder... and a very worn leica leather case... BUT .... has the serial number 357261 and no other engraving on the cover... (other than the usual leitz inscription around the speed knob)... as everybody knows... 357261 is an unknown factory number...

so what... has anyone information about those missing numbers...

-- stephan van den zegel (svdz@axolouthia.com), November 07, 2001

Answers

According to cameraquest, the serial number points to:

unknown unknown maybe not used 357201 358500 1300 which means that Leica skipped serial numbers during the 1940's. It is probably likely that your Leica is a special order during the 1940's which was custom built for a particular client who didn't simply pick up one from the camera dealer but probably requested a camera design (custom-built) from Leica themselves. Which explains for the variants in the accessories.

Alfie

-- Albert Wang (albert.wang@ibx.com), November 07, 2001.

It would be very nice if you could pass this info with pictures to James Lager as he is very interested in Leica history. His email can be found on the LHSA site.

Cheers,

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), November 07, 2001.