I own the Leica M3 serial number 882 783 which happens to be a double stroke camera. In Leica Gallery and somewhere else I have read that this camera should be a single stroke one, according to its serial number. I know that failed double strokes can be converted into single stroke but not the other way around, right? And then, if the "seal" thing is true, this camera has never been serviced. The first time I saw Stephen's serial numbers list I noticed this but didn't pay much attention because I'm not a collector and thought it was only a piece of trivia. I was really looking for the date of manufacture only. But now I got curious.Any clues? Thanks in advance !

-- Ivan Barrientos M (ingenieria@simltda.tie.cl), July 03, 2001

Answers

According to Lager, the modern geometrically spaced shutter speeds were introduced in 1957 with serial # 854001, but the single stroke advance came along in 1958 with serial # 919251. The Leica Collectors Guide shows your M3 made in 1957, right in between those two changes.

-- Ken Shipman (kennyshipman@aol.com), July 03, 2001.

According to Stephen Gandy's site www.cameraquest.com/mtype.htm your camera falls in a serial number range released on 6/5/1957, 882,001 to 886,700. The pressure plate was changed from glass to metal at sn#844,001 and from double to single stroke at 919,251.

Mark J.

-- Mark A. Johnson (logic@gci.net), July 03, 2001.

Ask and you will receive in the Leica Digest!

-- Dan Brown (brpatent@swbell.net), July 03, 2001.

Thanks you all,gentlemen. I finally have the birth certificate for my camera. What a great site and people ... !

Regards

- Ivan

-- Ivan Barrientos M (ingenieria@simltda.tie.cl), July 07, 2001.