With auctions like this, there isn’t a whole lot you can say. therefore, I’ll just steal from the auction 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.
Price has already broke $10,00 with six days to go.
