1934 Kriegsmarine Leica III

bruiser52

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Seeking clarification on this well used Leica III, supposedly issued to the pre WW2 Kriegsmarine. The M66 could refer to the M66 minesweeper mentioned in the second photo. Any thoughts are welcome...thanks!leica-1.jpg
 

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The question is whether a lowly and not so new minesweeper would have had a specifically engraved Leica as part of its equipment.

For interest, this one was obviously dodgy.

 
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The question is whether a lowly and not so new minesweeper would have had a specifically engraved Leica as part of its equipment.

For interest, this one was obviously dodgy.

Yes that is true, the only thing that made me wonder was that at some stage the M66 became an 'experimental ship' that may have required some documenting. The camera certainly had a hard life!
The question is whether a lowly and not so new minesweeper would have had a specifically engraved Leica as part of its equipment.

For interest, this one was obviously dodgy.

 
Looks like a defaced Reichsadler if you look closely in that brassed area.

One thing that gives me pause is the year of the body (1934) based on the serial number. That seems quite early for a Leica camera to have military engravings, but you never know. Jim Lager would definitely be the best person to contact regarding this.
 
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Looks like a defaced Reichsadler if you look closely in that brassed area.

One thing that gives me pause is the year of the body (1934) based on the serial number. That seems quite early for a Leica camera to have military engravings, but you never know. Jim Lager would definitely be the best person to contact regarding this.
Yes, that is what the seller said. The only other genuine Kriegsmarine Leica I have seen had the Reichsadler on the other side of the word Leica but it was a 1935 IIIa if I remember correctly.
 
Looks like a defaced Reichsadler if you look closely in that brassed area.

One thing that gives me pause is the year of the body (1934) based on the serial number. That seems quite early for a Leica camera to have military engravings, but you never know. Jim Lager would definitely be the best person to contact regarding this.
 

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There does appear to be a Reichsadler engraving under the scratches. Would be interesting to hear Jim Lager's take on this camera.
 
To my knowledge, the Kriegsmarine was established in 1935.
Which would make sense if the engraving was done by Kriegsmarine rather than Leitz. It is always said swastikas were never engraved by the factory but other genuine Kreigsmarine Leicas have surfaced with an engraved Reichsadler (eagle/swastika).
 
The quick reference I normally use, Summilux.net, has it as a chrome III from '34.

Perhaps the OP should write to Leica for delivery info, if they have any, for that serial number.
Yes I will get in touch with Leica to see if there is any factory info. Thanks!
 
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