Leitz lens with double-stamped serial number

[mark trachtenberg]

I hope some of you Leica experts can help me. I have a Leitz Summicron

M mount 50/2 black rigid Summicron made in Wetzlar. The lens is in

very bad condition and unusable without major repairs, but the serial

number is unique : the sixth digit of the seven digit serial number

has been stamped and enamelled twice, with a 7 and 8 one on top of the

other. Any ideas as to the value of this? Also, is there a short name

that is commonly given to this kind of factory error, so that I can be

clear in the item title when I list it for sale on eBay?

[fwstutterheim]

"Reject"?

[Rob F.]

Engraving error. But I wouldn't think it would be allowed to leave the factory in that condition. There are examples of items that left the factory with engraving errors, but one would think that they would discard the ring and engrave a fresh one. It occurs to me that it might have been stolen, and someone made an effort to alter the serial #. Can you post a picture of it?

[__hank_boneroneo1]

Minty

[matt_chamberlain]

lol

[ben z]

ROFLMAO! Yep, on ebay it'd be minty, or my favorite, mint minus, which encompasses everything less than mint right on down to run over by a train.

[mike_elek]

minty and rare -- you'll never see another like it.

[mike_elek]

Seriously though, it's hard to price something like this. Some might pay for its unique value. Others will pass on it because of its physical condition.

[dan flanders]

I am acquainted with several confirmed Leica purist Collectors and it is doubtful that unless there was some overwhelming evidence that it was an anomoly instead of mutilation, the item would not be considered a rarity and thus more valuable. There are however, some who claim to be collectors who are attracted to curiosities.