"Collector" M6TTL serial # weirdness

<p>Hello.</p>

<p>Found this on eBay and was intrigued and did a bit more digging:</p>

<p>http://www.ebay.com/itm/191108284810?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649</p>

<p>The listing claims this camera, serial # 2595670, is one of the last 1000 M6TTLs built. I checked what I could online to validate the build date and came upon this at:<br /> http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/Serial_Numbers_Leica_Cameras</p>

<p>If this source is correct, the camera was built in 2000, not 2002. Barring the oddity of the 674/999 inscribed on the top plate, what do you think about this camera? The seller has a perfect rating which imparts some trust on the auction but I'm stumped on the serial #.</p>

<p>The referenced site lists the final serial # range of M6TTL production to end at 2760000 (assuming the source is correct) in 2001.</p>

<p>I have not asked the seller about it -- I plan to do that -- but I wanted to cast the question out here first.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Can't help with the serial number conundrum. But the missing paint on the 647/999 numbering devalues the camera as a "collector's item" IMO. And for a "user camera" the price is too high.</p>

<p>I also noticed my LHSA M6TTL has a serial # of 2733974 so the one I posted about is hardly one of the final 1000 ... really odd.</p>

<p>Did a google image search and found a few images of the "last 999" M6TTL. All had a serial number starting with 275xxxx. So the one in that auction either has had a repair involving the hot shoe (in which case the owner should have insisted on getting the correct serial number stamped - and I would be flabbergasted if Leica devalued such a camera by not paying attention to such a detail if they performed the repair) or is a fake (top replaced on a "normal" M6TTL?). But who would fall for it - it's too easily verified.</p>

<p>Emailing or calling Leica Germany about the real serial number of 674/999 would be the one way to clear things up. </p>

<p>The "last 999 Leica M6 TTL 1984-2002 should have serial numbers between 2755001 and 2760000 according to the Leica pocketbook (believe that to be a misprint since 2755001 + 999 = 2756000).</p>

<p>M6 ttl was the worst M I have ever owned, alas.</p>

<p>This serial number business is foolishness. I think you should pass on the camera. Even if it's somehow correct I don't think it a very interesting camera. YES, I have an M6ttl and it's a great camera but this seems off. </p>

<p>John -- I have passed on it. It's a bit too fishy. I have a M6TTL LHSA which I use as a shooter -- I thought it would be nice to have another collectible one.</p>

<p>A quick search with google typing in "Die letzten 999 M6" reveal the following links:<br>

http://leica.nemeng.com/002ba.shtml<br>

The lower half shows a letter from Leica "Information No.: 61/2002" that the last 999 M6 for sale (not production!) will be specially packaged and have xxx/999 on the top. This does not need to be related to any other serial number, but Solms seems to have wanted to clear their warehouses: could have been produced anytime before.<br>

<br />Camera 839/999 with s/n 2595963 was sold by Christie's (let's assume that they know a little bit about auctions and integrity) in March 2007 for $3769.<br>

http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/lot/leica-die-letzten-900-m6-ttl-no-4878517-details.aspx?intObjectID=4878517<br>

<br />The differences in sn between Christie's and ebay is: 2595963 - 2595670 = 293<br>

The difference in the xxx/999 code: 839 - 674 = 165<br>

----> the 999 numbering does not directly follow a consecutive serial number run.<br>

Currently on ebay.co.uk (131178391033) is 631/999 with sn 2755057, i.e. indeed close to the 2760000 end number, but more 999 away.<br>

Photo Arsenal has on ebay no. 700/999, but the sn is not given (price $3474).<br>

So nothing seems fishy to me with the ebay seller.</p>

 

<p>Konrad -- thanks for the research and writing up your findings! I think the non-sequential serial #s is pretty unintuitive but maybe Leica thinks people won't research these things very thoroughly.</p>

<p>I just checked it out and the item is no longer on eBay ... I wasn't watching it closely since my original post so I don't know when it was sold or removed.</p>

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