Leica M3 olive Bundeseigentum First Batch *
280
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€40,000
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Estimate € 80.000 – 90.000
Manufacture Year : 1958
serial number : 910537
Very rare early version olive paint Leica M3 'Bundeswehr' from the first production batch, with long strap lugs and double stroke advance, in good, original condition, showing a beautiful patina, small bubbles appearing in paint, engraved 'Bundeseigentum 12-121-5418' on the rear of the top plate, together with matching Elmar 3.5/5cm no.1335693 engraved 'Bundeseigentum 12-121-5419' (front lens cap) and Leica-Meter MC no.49780 engraved 'Bundeseigentum 12-121-5603' (including a green leather etui for the meter stamped with 'Bundeseigentum 12-121-5710).
When the West German Army (Bundeswehr) was established after 1955, the Leica M cameras formed a large share of the photographic 35mm cameras ordered for the troops. Rare versions are the Leica M3, M1 and later M4 models in the olive paint finish. Leica produced less than 300 M3 cameras in this finish. The offered example comes from the earliest small batch delivered to the German army in January 1958 and is the 37th olive green M3 made!