Re: [Leica] Transition from Leitz to Leica

[Lucien <lucien@ubi.edu>]

Doug Richardson wrote:
> 
> Does anyone know the R5, M6, and lens serial numbers which mark the
> transition from Leitz to Leica markings?
> 
> I know that M6 No 1713353 has Leitz markings, and a dealer who offered
> me M6 1714279 reported that this camera had Leica markings, so that
> narrows the field to less than 1,000 cameras from the 1987 block of
> serials which ran from 1711451 - 1714450.
> 
> Of course this change of engraving & badge does not indicate that one
> camera was assembled in the Wetzlar works and the other at Solms -
> early production at the new factory still used the older
> Leitz-engraved components.

Doug,

In the first M6 brochure edited by Leica GMBH* Solms in 07/88
(Photokina 88) the serial number of the black M6 is 1710838 (1986!!).
Engraved only M6 on the front, Leica on the red dot and
normally Leica GMBH* Germany on the back.
But I had a silver chrome M6 Wetzlar numbered 17122XX (1987).
And in Nakamura's Leica Collection (ISBN4-257-03303-7)
there is a black M6 with Wetzlar's engraving number 1725853.
(the M6G made on special order for a dealer in Switzerland)
And in Sartorious (1991) there is a silver chrome M6
Wetzlar number 1738886 LHSA 1968-1988.
And I saw a brand new M6 engraved Wetzlar with Leica red dot.

It's not really clear !
;-)

Because on the M6 the number is engraved on the accessory shoe
and not on the top cover, everything is possible.
Like using an old body with one of the first new
top cover for avertisement purpose, or old Leitz Wetzlar
top covers for limited edition M6 etc...

The same problem appear with the M6 0,85.
Look at M6 .85 Early Serial #'s and Variations  
by Frank Filippone
He has tracked three variations in the early cameras.
(3130 cameras made)
<http://www.cameraquest.com/m685.htm>
- -Leica Camera GMBH Made in Germany 
(18 months after the change to AG)
- -Leica Camera  Made in Germany
- -Leica Camera 


*During the first months of Leica Solms the name of
the company was Leica GMBH (1988), after that it was changed
in Leica Camera GMBH (1990) and then in 1996 in Leica Camera AG.

Good luck,

Lucien