Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/06/09
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]The IIIck was a wartime IIIc with a ball bearing shutter. This shutter was better for use in very cold weather or high altitudes. The k stood for "kaltefest" (cold fast or cold weather ready) or for "kugellager" (ball bearing shutter). Almost all IIIck's were intended for use by the military. The cameras came in either chrome or gray paint finish, engraved with a k after the serial number and sometimes with a k stamped in white paint on the first shutter curtain. Many have German military engraving also. For these reasons, they are highly collectible and bring comensurate high prices. The postwar IIIc incorporated the new shutter, and functionally would be just as good as a IIIck and a whole lot cheaper. Bill Rosauer