[Leica] Re: the first IIIg

[doubs43 at cox.net (Walker Smith)]

Fakes are a problem in every area of collecting when the value makes it 
profitable for crooks (read that as SCUM) to replicate an original. 
Having been in the Luger (German military and civilian handgun) 
collecting arena over a period of years I can say with certainty that 
it's likely the most faked collectable item ever made. With the values 
of these old guns often equal to, or greater than, the cost of a new 
Leica camera body or Noctilux lens, the temptation to deceive is too 
much for some people. It's an area that requires the accumulation of 
vast knowledge before trying to accumulate the articles or you'll end up 
being skinned.

When I originally posted to this thread last night, the first question 
in my mind was: "Why wouldn't the factory keep the first serial number 
of any new model for it's historical value?" I'm pleased to see that 
seems to be the case which makes the IIIg in question an undoubted fake.

Just look at the large number of fake Leicas coming out of the former 
USSR countries. Judging from the photographs, some of the fakers have 
genuine craftsman skills that could be put to better use.

Walker