Carbon dating an Imarect finder?

[chromatic-aberration]

I know that there are some relatively hard and fast serial numbers for other

Leica bits, but can anyone divine when a particular Imarect was manufactured

from the serial number or any other non-psychic clues? Mine has serial number

55187, straight sides, and a stop for 85mm lenses.

[l._david_tomei1]

Christopher,

This was the last Wetzlar VIOOH Imarect type produced and was available from 1949 until 1964/65. Lens and bodies are dated more precisely based on the dates that the serial numbers were allocated (not necessaily dates that correspond with the build). Serial numbers appeared on several VIOOH types, four to be exact, and the ones with 85mm were available from 1949 as well others since that particular lens production ramped up about 1947 (it had been available since '43). Perhaps Leitz can do better but I have not found any production numbers.

I love reading my Leica books with espresso in the morning.

 

Regards.

 

David