p.1 #1 · Sold: Rare Leica M3 Single Stroke with Buddha Lugs and Silent Return (Transitional)
Rare Leica M3 Single Stroke with Buddha Lugs and Silent Return (Transitional)
Sold
Price: $1,900.00 Payment method: PayPal Item condition: 9 Shows signs of use, but very clean Shipping instructions: USPS or Fedex Included
Beautiful condition Leica M3 Single Stroke with Buddha Lugs and Silent Return (Transitional)
Serviced (Sherry Krauter Wax Seal), Tested and Ready to shoot!
I just sold my rare M2 Button/Timer here and this is my equally stunning M3 I have for sale.
Condition of the M3 is absolutely beautiful. Some light/faint marks on the body but overall very clean. Shiny and nice chrome, not faded like many ones you see. The body cover looks and feels original. I have quite a few rare versions of the classic film m bodies, and this M3 is the nicest one I have owned AND seen. Much nicer in build than any other single stroke I have owned, with many of the nuances prior to the cost cutting measures of the M3.
The self timer screw has a couple marks, so I included an extra replacement cover for the future owner if they wish to replace it.
What makes this one so rare? Well first of all, it's very clean AND It has the early style deeper engraving top plate, Buddha Lug Straps (very rare for a single stroke), early style ISO dial, nicer glass eyepiece, and the best of all the Silent Return stroke. This camera was a transitional camera that utilized the amazing double stroke clutch, but with the improved longer single stroke advance lever.
This means the camera strokes just like a single stroke, but upon return it is basically silent. This allows for a very discrete style of shooting. The viewfinder on this is fantastic and beautifully bright with excellent contrast. The rangefinder on this is one of the few bodies where I have felt "oh this is what people are referring to when they say the M3 rangefinder is the best." I have attached a picture with a view through the viewfinder in indoor lighting to help illustrate this.
Film examples attached!
Comes with the Leica M3 Body, extra self timer screw and body cap.
Love this body and lens and I have held off from selling it, but I am looking for more medium format gear to add to my stable.
I could talk about classic Leica film gear for days so feel free to ask any questions!
p.1 #3 · Sold: Rare Leica M3 Single Stroke with Buddha Lugs and Silent Return (Transitional)
Siingle stroke started in 58 .The early batch were using the body + mecanism of the DS ( hence the ears ) and the the camera were converted DS to single stroke. The first converted body is 915251 batch march 3rd1958 - The end of thi sspecific batch is 924500, this batch takes less than a month. I habe a 961 xxx identical model, same ears, same mecanism, transitinonal version a single stroke made from the DS. This serial is from the June 24th, 1959 batch of 4800 cameras. Between both these bactch there are 9 other batch for a total if I am not wrong of 9200. I do not know when the real Single Stroke starts. Meaning not a double stroke converted. But in the june 59 batch there are still converted camera at least by the begiining of the batch. The camera is really nice.
Rare Leica M3 Single Stroke with Buddha Lugs and Silent Return (Transitional)
