If one identifies a Leica by serial number in the deliver records only, the entered number may not match the camera in hand.”Īnother possible sources of serial number discrepancies were the so-called “UMBAU,” or factory upgraded, Leicas. The persons writing them may not have been fully trained or familiar with process. Many 1944 entries are unreadable, chaotic, and perhaps, given the dire circumstances in Germany at the time, were entered under duress. However, there are entries where the penmanship varies from unreadable to perfect, usually done by hand in ink by different writers. However as with most great things, the Leica serial number list is not perfect, especially if you check it against the actual handwritten delivery records as Leica historians are wont to do.Īccording to acclaimed Leica historian James Lager, “Regarding the serial numbers entered into the delivery records, the work is very carefully done and precise. Compared to Leica’s the serial number list of that great Japanese camera company can charitably be described as chaotic and discontinuous, so it’s often difficult to identify, say, a Canon rangefinder 35 of the ‘50s or ‘60s conclusively without assessing its features.

If you’re not impressed with Leica’s almost compulsive (Germanic?) dedication to order in creating its widely published serial number list, consider for example, Canon. Indeed, one of its greatest accomplishments is the comprehensive sequential list of serial numbers, models, and dates that allows Leica fans, collectors, and historians to identify virtually any genuine Leica with a high degree of certainty. Leitz, Wetzlar and Leica Camera from the very beginning. Keeping meticulous production records has been an integral part of the corporate culture of E. The numerical digits on your Leica can establish your camera’s provenance, and a lot more…

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