black leica II (D) shutter release button nickel or chrome?

[mretina]

I am looking into a nickel / black painted leica II all correct and in good condition.

Should the shutter release button be nickel plated? In this one it looks chrome while all the rest of the items, knobs etc.. on the top plate are nickel. Just wondering if it might be replacement or the nickel may have faded....


....It would be for use and it is priced accordingly, but you end up looking into these things anyway ....otherwise probably we would not be buying these cameras in the first place.... thank yoy for your input!

[Rob-F]

My II (# 146375) has all nickel controls. Leitz at some point transitioned from nickel to chrome. I wonder if yours was made during a transitional phase?

Yes, we do look at these things, don't we?

[Dralowid]

All 'brightwork' on a black camera should be the same finish, either nickel or chrome. I'd make the assumption that the shutter release has been replaced at a time when nickel ones were no longer available...(ie probably post war).

The nickel to chrome switch over date is late '30s, not sure when but I think after 1935? Someone will know.

Michael

[mretina]

Thanks a lot, this one is serial 98624, 1932 batch. I tend to agree then that it has been replaced. In fact it seems that the button is original but the ring around it comes from a leica III button. I am not so convinced and I should wait for an 'all nickel one'. I am tempted just for the 35/3.5 heavy cam nickel elmar it comes with....