Leica M3 Prototype no.0037
86
Hammer Price
€312,000
incl. Buyer's Premium
Estimate €300,000 – 350,000
Condition : B/A
Manufacture Year : 1952
Extremely rare M3 prototype (pre-series, produced as test camera in 1952/53). The camera is in excellent original condition and perfect working order. It shows all original early features including a special film advance lever, external frame counter, reversed direction of the rewind knob, the unique shape of self-timer, top plate with distinctive corners, matching base plate also with corners, completely different shutter casting and film guides, special pre-series back etc. (see Lager I, p.173-175). All these small details make the experience of using the camera quite unique. It comes with an early M-mount Summicron 2/5cm no.1105473. It is a rare opportunity to acquire one of the most important cameras in Leica's history, the camera was never offered in an auction before!