Re: [Leica] Mysterious SL2 MOT

[Lucien <lucien@ubi.edu>]

Nathan Wajsman wrote:

> Anyway, the thing that intrigues me is that the serial number of the
> camera seems off. According to the Pocket Book, my serial
> number--14439xx--identifies the camera as a regular SL2 from 1976. Is
> this an error in the book, or do I have some sort of sophisticated
> fake??

Nathan,

Following are copies of two old E-mails to the LUG

I think they will answer your question.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Date: 21-May-1998 10:53:29 
From: Lucien
Subject: [Leica] Quantity of Leicaflex SL-Mot and SL2-Mot
made ? 

According to various books and Leica serial numbers lists,
(Rogliatti, Sartorious, Laney etc..)
the production figures of :

SL-Mot = 980
SL2-Mot = 1,020

Total = 2,000

After research, I think it's much more than that.

1)None of the Black paint SL-Mot are in those lists.
(Ex. Lager and mine) They have SL numbers.
(Mine is 12403XX = 1969-70)
The first SL-Mot in the list is from 1972 (1336991)

2)As you can see in my former post 
(Re: [Leica] Leicaflex SL2MOT)
there are several SL2-Mot not in the lists also.

3)Furthermore, the serial number of the SL/SL2-Mot Motors
seem to start at 1,000.
(In the Motor instruction manual dated from 4/69,
the number engraved is 1.006)
My SL-Mot motor is the 1.20X, 
and I have an orphan SL2-Mot Motor which is nr 4.35X.
That give us more than 3350 motors produced.

Will we ever know the truth ??

Lucien
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Date: 21-May-1998 10:26:49 
From: Lucien
Subject: Re: [Leica] Leicaflex SL2MOT 

David wrote:

>According to the Leica Pocket Book, the last batch of the SL2MOT
>produced in 1975 is 1421001-1421150.  
>I know somebody who has one with 144xxxx.
>This puzzles me.  
>Is this one made unofficially like some more SL Olympic
>version were made after official 1000 were made to meet the demand?
>Does any of you have any information on this?  
>This number still falls in the SL2 category though.

David,

In LHSA Viewfinder Vol.28 Nr 3 page 11

Letter from L.L.Thompson:

snip
I just purchased a brand new black SL2 Mot from N-Y dealer
The serial number is 1443364 an the camera arrived today 
sealed in white plastic wich emblazoned with serial
nr and the remark"new 1994 issue"
snip

Answer from Bill Gordon:

snip"
A rumor was recently circulated throug at least
one large camera show describing the origin of these
new "1994 Issue" SL2 Mot.
It was reporeted that they were assembled by Leica
Camera GMBH, and they were made possible by the 
discovery of a large quantity of surplus parts when 
Leica moved to Solms.
snip
According to the ad from wich you purchased the camera, 
an unkown quantity of new SL2-Mot bodies were recently
??
snip
..your camera does not exist!
There is a blank area between the serial nrs of 1,443,170
and 1,443,501.
snip

(This is true in various list, Rogliatti, Sartorious, Laney etc..)

In LHSA Viewfinder Vol.28 Nr 4 page 5

Letter from Ch. KOK, Hong Kong

snip
I have an SL2-Mot Nr 1444161. According to the Leica 
Pocket Book, it's a SL2 Nr. I therefore enquired with Leica...
snip
Leica Archives finally confirmed that it is not a conversion
`but an original one, as a few SL2-Mot assembled after its 
production having officially ceased were given SL2 Nr instead.
snip

Hope it help.

If you want more information, it's possible to
order back issues of the Viewfinder, once you are member of
the LHSA.
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