M3 Prototype

The camera is an M3 pre-model, earlier than all "00XX"-series cameras from 1952 known to exist. It has no serial-number. The die-cast shutter crate is different to the other "00XX"-series cameras, the cover-plate of the shutter crate bottom side has no engravings, the body shell is not painted, but just anodized, the shutter-lock has engraved an index as a dot in the knurl of the release-knob and two symbols for "T" and exposure "." on the top plate, the ocular ring is made of bakelite, also the engraving for flash is different, the camera has a higher lustre chrome finish, almost like the cameras of the sharkskin period, all engravings are finer and slimmer. "001" written in pencil on the inside of the rear door, which indicates being really camera no. 001, produced before no.005, the - so far - earliest camera of the "00XX"-series known. The self timer lever looks very similar to those of the M3 700XXX series. If has been checked by Ottmar Michaely and he states, that the lever mounted on this camera in fact is a pre-model. The lens is a prototype dual-lever Summikron. The engraving is similar in style and size with the Summitar* engravings, different to the later Summicron lenses of the 9200XX series. Summikron written with "k" instead of "c" was the very first name of this new lens, referring to "Kronglas", the Lanthanium crown-glass, invented by Leitz. It is one of only two "Summikron" lenses known to exist. The second specimen is published in van Hasbroeck, plates XXVI and 141b. Like the offered camera also the lens is engraved "Nr. " without serial-number. In fact lens and body are a perfect matching pair, both of same vintage (1951), produced before the famous "00XX"-series M3 cameras known to exist. The camera is in perfect working condition and all details are original with all pre-series details including film advance lever, external frame counter, early speed dial, reversed direction rewind knob, back door with film marker punch and ceramic pressure plat