[Leica] Re: the first IIIg

[buzz.hausner at verizon.net (buzz.hausner@verizon.net)]

At least with Leicas, fake or real, as opposed to Lugers, fake or real, the 
victim rarely finds the shot fatal.

Buzz Hausner

> 
> From: Walker Smith <doubs43@cox.net>
> Date: 2004/08/17 Tue PM 12:57:22 EDT
> To: lug@leica-users.org
> Subject: [Leica] Re:  the first IIIg
> 
> 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