LEICA LEITZ M3 PROTOTYPE - ULTRA RARE NEVER SEEN HERE Offered to you by Schouten Select Cameras & Accessories Start Price USD 1.00 Current Price USD 100,090.00 Time Left - Bid Count 38 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Monday, December 01, 2008 End Time Monday, December 08, 2008 Location Capelle a/d IJssel, The Netherlands See more about 'LEICA LEITZ M3 PROTOTYPE - ULTRA RARE NEVER SEEN HERE' Description   Title   LEICA LEITZ M3 PROTOTYPE - ULTRA RARE NEVER SEEN ON EBAY !!! Brand Name   LEICA Type   M3 Serial Number   0016 Condition   B+ Description   Before Leica brought the M3 on the market they made 65 M3 prototype cameras for testing and evaluation. The numbers of these cameras are 001 - 0065. As they had only experience with screw mount cameras the M3 was a complete new type of camera and needed to be tested intensively. After testing the cameras came back to Leica factory to be dismantled and the internal parts were completely analized. Most cameras were finally destroyed, but some were sold to the employees of Leica. According to several experts a few (it is said about a dozen) of these cameras are still on the market. Most of these cameras however are in collections of course. Compared to later style M3 bodies (also compared to the first 600 M3 cameras) the prototype cameras had several different features such as: - External frame counter - Release button which can be turned and switched in   the B-position - Shape of transport lever - Shape of self timer (this one has the one which was   used on the production M3 bodies) - Built-in film punch in back door - Engraving on top plate is different. Only a 4 digit serial   number is engraved - Top and base plate with corners - Reversed direction rewind knob (turns counter clockwise) - Film spool type (right one on picture no. 28 is the later M   style spool) - Die-cast mechanism The camera shows signs of use which of course is normal. As described Leica made these cameras for testing and it was used as such. But besides some marks here and there the camera looks great. No dents. Some fine pin head marks are visible. Furthermore some bright marks and scratches but the camera definitely is not abused. A must for every collector. If you want to use the camera one of the curtains should be replaced. Although the curtain is light tight it is not 100% perfect. As the curtain can be the original one I would prefer to keep it as it is and not replace it unless definitely needed to. Having the test session in mind and as it is a more as 50 years old camera most people would probably rate it higher as B+. Definitely a rarity 10 scaled item which is historically very important. Not often seen. General Information   Please note that due to different time zones I will not be able to reply any question asked in the last 3 hours of the auction. Shipping via UPS to major destinations in the world at cost or if preferred at priority mail. Of course you also can pick-up this camera yourself. For this auction we only accept payment via bank transfer or payments in cash. No credit card payments this time. If you have any questions please feel free to mail. Please note that due to a different time zone we will not be able to reply questions which will be sent within 3 hours of the end of the auction. Please click here to see my other auctions. Click here to view some information about me and my selling conditions.   Place a Bid!