I am the owner of a Swedish military IIIg, black paint with an early number. It was rescued from official destruction by a Swedish officer in the early 1970´s. It seems to have been used very few times and there is not a scratch visible. The camera has been stored and put away over the years. Unfortunately it does not come in its original box. I am not sure that the black lens – Elmar f=5 cm 1:35 GERMANY, 1427162 - is the original one to the camera because it could have been changed with another lens during its time in the Swedish army. Unfortunately the camera is not working properly. I think it needs some cleaning due to it being stored for so many years. In its original box is also a TELOO/ TELYT 1:4/200 lens marked with the Swedish military three crowns. Is anyone able to give me the value of these items, and also where and in which way (auction, ebay) should I sell it if I choose to. Appreciate anyone’s feedback.

-- U.A.O (annakefir@hotmail.com), February 15, 2002

Answers

Keep it and have it cleaned up. Never, Never, Never, sell or trade any of your Leica equipment unless you are absolutely destitute. You will regret selling it for many years to come.

-- Donald A. Wansor (wansor@optonline.net), February 15, 2002.

Contact this fellow:

 James L. Lager

jlager@bellatlantic.net

TEL: 201.768.5426

Leica Researcher and Historian

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), February 15, 2002.

Hi U.A.O., your Leica IIIg with the triple-crown Swedish military insignia is one of the few surviving examples of the original 125 units made for the Swedish Armed Forces in 1960. The body alone is (conservatively) estimated to worth over US$10,000 (you heard right-- ten thousand bucks!!). The original lens for the camera should be a chrome, not black, Elmar 5 cm f/2.8, and which carries the triple- crown marking on the DOF scale ring (next to the left end of the DOF scale; some of such lenses may have the marking filed off, revealing a patch of brass). To retain the camera's value, you either leave the camera the way it is or have it cleaned only by an authorized Leica repairer. Keep the original box and other packaging stuff, too, as they will add to the value of your camera. Congratulations for owning such a valuable collector's item!

-- Hoyin Lee (leehoyin@hutchcity.com), February 15, 2002.