Leica Kugellager IIIc Base Plate

I noticed the baseplate has the larger, rather than the smaller tripod thread mount. When did Leica go to the smaller baseplate thread size mount? Is the change over to the smaller thread size any indication of baseplate age?

Just the obvious note that removable base plates or other unattached parts can-- over the course of years--get lost and replaced, or simply mixed up in "transit".

I noticed the baseplate has the larger, rather than the smaller tripod thread mount. When did Leica go to the smaller baseplate thread size mount? Is the change over to the smaller thread size any indication of baseplate age?

 

I don't think so. I believe the large thread was still an option even in the M3 era. The plate on my 1949-50 IIIc has the large thread with an adapter screwed in. Leitz made versions with the small thread for export long before they switched to this standard, but I imagine there wasn't much demand for these in wartime!

 

Went to a coin dealer who has accurate scale- used to count coins. Plate is 42 grams - could believe how off food scales were.

It still doesn't make sense that the plate would have been replaced when the camera was just a few years old. I know the base plate is the same sense my family has owned.

 

It's probably impossible to determine exactly what might have happened to your camera 70 years ago. I think it probably just has a standard chrome base plate now. One thing you might try is asking Leica what records they have of your camera's serial number - if it happened to ship in an unusual configuration (e.g. with a winder base plate) that could give you a clue as to why it might have been replaced for any reason other than simple accidental loss or damage.

Thanks - how do I go about asking Leica about my camera its serial is

D.R.P. Num 391427 K

Richard's response if it happened to ship in an unusual configuration (e.g. with a winder base plate) is very possible. Given the Sn. it belongs to a wartime period when parts would have been hard to come by, and just post war when some Leicas were apparently assembled from existing parts still in the factory.

As you probably know by now, its serial number is 1943-46 and the K means it has a superior winterised roller bearing shutter.

Leica has always been very helpful in the past when I wrote to them for information; there is probably a link on the Leica website.

How about a few more photos, like shutter curtains, lens (Summitar?). (please)

You can find the contact email for any country here:

 

Contact - Leica Camera AG

 

Try Germany directly, or your national contact.

I will try to get a few more shots next week. Thanks for how to contact.

Photos of curtain (sorry 'bout focus) and lens. Camera also has a flash kit and tele lens which i will post separate.

 

Flash and tele lens

Thanks for sending photos.

Interesting camera and accessory stuff. Shutter looks viable, what one can see of it, but lenses and viewfinders cloudy, look a bit in need of professional help. Hope you feel like having it all cleaned and lubricated, repaired only as necessary, as it's an interesting camera.

Lens (50mm) looks like 1941, and the Schneider lens looks like it would be 135mm.

Obviously cost is not an issue (joke), but at least you could get somebody good to look at it all and go from there.