M3 chrome No.1

This is the very first production Leica M camera with prototype dual-lever Summicron 2/5cm no.922006. Leitz company reserved the numbers from 700001 for the new M3 in 1953. Though some books list no.700000 as the first M3 (a camera with this number was given two years later to Prof. Kruckenhauser as a presentation camera, this camera of course has not the early features), the original and very first M camera is no.700001 (finished in September/October 1953) - as seen in the list of Arthur Dauber from the developing department of Leitz company, the engraving list and the delivery book. The camera was not sold to public and held by Willi Stein, chief designer of Leitz company. In 1975 it was acquired by Theo Kisselbach (see 'Vidom 87' pg.16), since 1984 it is in possession of his son Günter Kisselbach. Willi Stein gave the camera a different body shell with grey leather, now Ottmar Michaely from Wetzlar mounted again the original body with 4 screws to secure the top plate. The prototype Summicron no. 922006 is described in 'Vidom 92' p.9. This most important Leica camera is in perfect working and near mint condition ! (with documentation and expertise)