Leica M3 Betriebskamera with Leitz-Eigentum M Summicron *
91
Hammer Price
€24,000
incl. Buyer's Premium
Estimate €20,000 – 24,000
Condition : A-
Manufacture Year : c.1958
Very rare Leica M3 Betriebskamera (for factory use only), in fully original condition, top plate engraved 'Betriebsk. M2 – 1114'. By the end of the 1950s, Leitz Wetzlar had about 7,000 employees. Leica cameras were used internally in various departments, where cameras were needed, and there was a well-organised camera lending service for temporary private use, as a courtesy to those members of the company, who couldn’t or didn’t want to afford a Leica camera. After the war, the term “Betriebskamera” was used, beginning with Leica model IIIc. The offered example is in beautiful, near-mint condition, and comes with an early M39 Summicron 2/5cm no.993933 engraved near the mount 'Leitz-Eigentum M'. The lens is not listed in the delivery records, which confirms that it was used for internal purposes.