An Unusual Postwar-Leica IIIB
by Jerzy Wasowicz
This article was initially published in VIDOM 110/2015. VIDOM is bi-annually publication of Leica Historica e.V. in Germany
As per Hahne list the last IIIb was SN 355 000 from 1946. The one presented here has SN 357 109 and is from 1950.It was December 2004 when I spotted this camera. It raised my attention because of:
SN is higher than the last documented
Sharkskin covering, which was known to me rather in connection with Ic-IIIc produced from 1948 until early fifties
Bottom plate is showing the chrome defects typical for sharkskin Leicas
Coated Hektor 5 cm with early SN 96264
After purchasing this Leica I started to collect some information about this camera.
Information received from the seller:
Camera was initially purchased by the father of the seller, Mr Driesen on September 7th, 1950. Mr Driesen was working in optical dept at Leitz developing the optics for various Leica lenses. Hektor is much older than the camera itself and was coated by Mr. Driesen in early fifties. Before the sale, in autumn 2004 the camera was CLA-ed (cleaned, lubricated and adjusted) by the repair specialist in Wetzlar. CLA included replacement of curtains and half mirror.
Information received from Leica Service:
Camera with SN 357 109 was sold internally (employee sale) on April 5th, 1950 to Mr. Driesen. Camera is marked as LUOOB which is the US code word for Leica IIIa. There is no record about any upgrade to IIIb.
Questions which come to my mind after I compared above, partially different information:
Why is the Leica marked as IIIa in Leica delivery records? Why the discrepancy between purchase dates? Was this Leica initially produced as IIIa and upgraded to IIIb between April and September 1950?
My comment:
Leitz never offered officially an upgrade from IIIa to IIIb. Btw, an upgrade from IIIb to IIIb syn was possible, is however not listed in the price table shown. The two photos below are originating from Leica upgrade booklet dated October 1954.
Umbauten Preise
Umbauten
Mr. Driesen was really working at Leitz. His name is mentioned in the article from Dr. Ludwig Leitz published in “10 Jahre Leica Historica”.According to the serial number Hektor was produced in 1932. Nickel plating was typical for the lenses from this time. Lenses were not coated until cca 1942, re-coating the old lenses was however possible and offered by Leitz.While the last batch of IIIb was in 1946 there were still IIIb spare parts available, it is thus possible that this camera was assembled using remaining IIIb parts while body covering (sharkskin) and bottom plate with chrome defects are from 1950.
Addendum:
After I’ve sent the first draft of this article to the editor of Vidom I received an email from Mr. Ottmar Michaely. Mr. Michaely is member of the board of Leica Historica e.V. and very well known Leica repair and restoration specialist. It was him who repaired this Leica in autumn 2004 and he remembers this camera very well, because it is so unusually. Based on technical details visible during repair Mr. Michaley was not able to find any signs of an upgrade to IIIb, he is sure that the camera was produced originally as IIIb. Mr. Michaely pointed out as well that a copy of delivery record from Leica is not clearly readable, this could explain mismatch between the shipping and purchase dates.Comment from Mr. Michaely strengthens my belief that this is really an unusual camera, possibly the last IIIb ever produced and with coated, nickel Hektor a nice combo.
