hey ! i got a Leica from flea market recently and checked the serial number from a serial number list. (https://www.cameraquest.com/ltmnum.htm ) it seems like it's a leica iii from 1939. btw serial number is 340303. but i couldnt find any detailed information. it's a really collector item or not ? you have any thoughts about this body ? do i feel special ? i'm a lucky guy ?
Leica IIIs are worth nothing compared to the later Ms. Like $250 give or take.
You could also have bought a Soviet knockoff; if it has any waffenamts or swastikas, it's probably a Soviet knockoff and in that case is worth about $30.
They are very fun to shoot, I bought one to use while my M was in for a CLA and now shoot the III more than the M.
Like all leicas a few things will factor in on the price, over all condition, mechanical condition, black paint vs chrome, has it been upgraded (leica offered upgraids where you could turn a IIIa to a IIIf), pre war / wartime / post war, history (did someone special own it), and vulcanite texture, to name a few factors.
$250 plus or minus $100 is average for a IIIf, an old III is probably on the south side of $250 but without knowing more it is hard to say. some are worth a lot more and some a lot less.
>>3065805
I've had that serial number before, it's a fake. Pretty cool but not worth much at all. The gold fake ones covered in nazi insignia are fucking dope though.
>>3065805
antique.
>>3065805
Post a pic so we can tell if it's a Russian fake.
Even if fake it's still worth something, but I hope you didn't pay a lot for it though.
>>3065851
>You could also have bought a Soviet knockoff
Leica III is almost never faked since the Soviets only made Leica II copies (ie no front dial).