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Leica M3 - ELC or not ELC?


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According to Steve Gandy's site, M3s made in ELC fall within 998001 - 998300. Therefore, if your M3 falls within that range, according to his information, it was made in Canada.

 

Another way to tell, however, is the "M3" font in front of the serial number is a bit larger on those made in Canada compared to those made in Germany. All M3s have the standard Leitz Wetzlar topcover engraving regardless of where they were made.

Edited by Bill Blackwell Images
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When you come to a fork in the road, take it ...” 

– Yogi Berra

 

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Thanks for reply. The serial number falls into both ranges so I suppose it’s the way the list is compiled that is confusing. On the one hand it says 4,000 serial numbered units (including the serial number on mine) were made in Germany, then it gives another block of 300 which again fall within the same 4,000 and says they were made in Canada.

The info about the larger M3 engraving seems to confirm however that it is Canadian, so thanks for that.

It’s only important from a resale point of view and it’s not going anywhere! As I understand it many of the famous Leica lenses were for years designed and built in Canada to exactly the same tolerances and when the factory closed all the parts moved back to Germany and were assembled there.

If Leica didn’t see any difference in quality then I doubt if anyone else could!

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