Special Engravings on Leica Cameras - Jo Geier - Mint & Rare
When speaking of engravings in connection with Leica cameras, two types can be distinguished:
- The standard engravings of brand names and serial numbers, which are found on every Leica that was commercially available, and
- Special engravings, which were applied to special cameras or cameras for special customers or users, especially on screw-on Leicas from 1938 to 1945
When speaking of engravings in connection with Leica cameras, two types can be distinguished:
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The standard engravings of brand names and serial numbers, which are found on every Leica that was commercially available, and
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Special engravings, which were applied to special cameras or cameras for special customers or users, especially on screw-on Leicas from 1938 to 1945
Standard engravings tell you something about the model, the modelyear and production batch of your camera and help detecting fake Leicas.
Special engravings are particularly sought after by collectors because they provide additional information about special features or owners of the camera and are usually much rarer and therefore more valuable. For this reason, Leicas with fake engravings are constantly circulating.
Special Engravings
- Leicas for the Army ('Luftwaffen-Eigentum', 'Heer', 'W.H.' = Wehrmacht Heer, 'Artl.' , 'M + Swastika & Eagle', etc.)
© Wetzlar Camera Auctions
Leica IIIc K chrome 'Luftwaffen-Eigentum', 1940, (WCA 6, Lot 20). This is one of the rarest versions of the Wehrmacht Leicas. Together with these 50 bodies, 50 pieces of Summitar 5 cm f/2 lenses were delivered, which besides the engraving "Luftwaffen-Eigentum" were also marked with "K" for "kältefest" (winterized).
© Wetzlar Camera Auctions
Leica IIIc K gray W.H.
Rare gray Leica IIIc K "W.H." (Wehrmacht Heer = Army) in extremely nice condition with matching Elmar 5 cm f/3.5 "W.H.".
© Wetzlar Camera Auctions
Leica IIIc K gray Heer
Extremely rare gray IIIc with "Heer" engraving on the top of the topplate with Summitar 5 cm f/2 with "Heer" engraving. Brown everready case with embossing "Heer" on the back and with the imperial eagle and the mark "WaA217" (WaffenAmt = weapons office) on the bottom . Both delivered to Berlin, the camera on December 17th 1942 as LOOQA Kae. B. with typical shipment number 29815, the lens on June 27th 1942 with typical shipment number 29818.
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Navy Leicas ('M', 'Kriegsmarine', 'W.haven', etc.)
© Wetzlar Camera Auctions
Rare Kriegsmarine HEFAR. Engraving with eagle / swastika and "M 107" on the mount and on the distance setting ring. It was delivered to Berlin on June 21st 1939 with shipment number 31146.
© Wetzlar Camera Auctions
Rare Kriegsmarine IIIc with "M 519" engraved on the topplate. Delivered to Berlin on March 17th 1942, with shipment number 29650. Entry "M519" in the Leitz shipping-records. One of the very few cameras with military entry in the Leitz delivery records.
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Leicas for special organizations of the Third Reich ('R.P.' = Reichspost, 'Re.' = Reichssicherheitshauptamt, etc.)
© Wetzlar Camera Auctions
Leica model A converted to II Model D with Elmar 5 cm f/3.5. Engraved "Re. 370239" on top of the topplate and "Re. 370116" on lens mount. "Re." stands for "Reichssicherheitshauptamt" (Wehrmacht procurement office).
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Leicas with the letter "K" after the number
Cameras with „K“ after the serial number were speciffically produced for beeing used in low temperatures. „K“ stands for „Kältefest“ or 'winterized'.
© Wetzlar Camera Auctions
Very rare chrome IIIc K with „K“ engraving after the serial number and white „K“ stamp on shutter curtain. Delivered as winterized versions („Kaeltefest)“ on September 15th 1942. Only 125 cameras of this civilian Leica IIIc chrome version with "K“ engraving were produced.
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Leicas with * after the serial number
A Leica with an asterisk (*) after the serial number usually means it's a "duplicate" number, often from a body that was returned, damaged for parts, or had an engraving error, essentially re-using a number from a camera no longer in circulation. It's generally seen as an interesting detail rather than increasing collector value. -
Leicas with engravings of non-German military units (e.g., Swedish Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, Italian Air Force)
© Wetzlar Camera Auctions
Leica IIIf black paint Swedish Army - The black paint finished Leica IIIf is one of the great classics among the collectibles in the field of Leica screw mount cameras. The camera, produced in just 100 units especially for the Swedish Military, was not only the first model of a black paint Leica camera to be serial-produced after the Second World War. It was also a winterised version, designed for use in the climatic conditions of the arctic regions. The illustrated camera here is the very last piece from this series (822901 - 823000).
© Wetzlar Camera Auctions
Leica IIIg black paint Swedish Army - After the black IIIf, this is the second black paint finished Leica model made for the Swedish Military. The camera and the matching Elmar 90 mm f/4 engraved with the three Swedish Crowns.
© Wetzlar Camera Auctions
Leica If British Royal Navy - Special version with black dial. Engraved with "AP 0553 / 8886" and an upward-pointing arrow on the back in the vulcanite. Presumably for use with a submarine periscope. There is a screw-off cover on the back of the camera. The opening concealed underneath could be used for a focusable magnifier with ground screen, for viewing the film plane.
© Wetzlar Camera Auctions
Extremely rare camera for the Royal Canadian Air Force with "R.C.A.F." and a "♔" engraved on the back of the topplate.
© Wetzlar Camera Auctions
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Leitz-owned cameras (e.g., cameras for employees, Leitz property, company camera)
© Wetzlar Camera Auctions
Well preserved camera from the former factory inventory.
© Wetzlar Camera Auctions
Early Leitz factory-internal Leica model D with "Leih-Kamera" (loaner camera) engraving on the back of the topplate.
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Leicas for specific dealerships, individuals or personalities
© Wetzlar Camera Auctions
With engraving "Lutz, Ferrando y Cia. Buenos Aires" on the bottomplate. Delivered in October1938 to the then Leitz importer Lutz Ferrando in Buenos Aires / Argentina
© Wetzlar Camera Auctions
After the end of the war, a number of Leica equipment were delivered to members of the American Forces, who were stationed in Wetzlar. Some of these items were engraved with these names.
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Leicas after 1945 with engravings of special organizations (DANA, AES, EES, DENA)
Production at the Leitz factories resumed in 1945 on the orders of the American occupation forces
© Wetzlar Camera Auctions
The "Army Exchange Service" (AES) was a relevant supply organisation for the US armed forces in Germany from 1946. Rare version with "AES" engraving on the rear side of the topplate.
© Wetzlar Camera Auctions
Leitz VIOHH Universal Finder 'Property Of U.S. Navy'.
Leicas produced in St.Ingbert im Saarland/France („Monté en Sarre“)
© Wetzlar Camera Auctions
A small number of less than 600 Leica IIIa cameras fitted with „Monté en Sarre“ engravings were produced in France to avoid the high tariffs after World War II.
Where to Find Engravings
Special Engravings were applied by the manufacturer on various parts of the camera bodies:
- on the topplate: - under the word 'Wetzlar'
- to the right of the word 'Leica' above the serial number
- behind the serial number
- on the back, right of the viewfinder
- in the rear body covering
- on the baseplate
- on the shutter cloth ('K')
On lenses, engravings can be found next to the distance scale, on the front ring, on the barrel, on 135mm lenses within the distance scale, and on the support ring.
Engravings on chrome Leicas are filled with black lacquer; gray bodies and body coverings were filled with white lacquer, which has usually yellowed over the decades.
Many of the special engravings can be seen in VIDOM No. 25, November 1983 written by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Weigel more than 40 years ago.
Leica keeps many records of early serial numbers which are used today as proof of possible authenticity due to the delivery destination. Engravings in unusual locations also indicate counterfeits. Here are also two examples of fake engravings on a top and base plate:
The Role of Archival Proof in Authentication
For collectors and historians, Leitz factory records serve as the most reliable source for confirming the authenticity of special engravings. While the vast majority were executed in Wetzlar, markings applied by institutional clients—such as shipyards or foreign military depots—can also be verified against surviving period delivery documents.
The definitive method of authentication involves cross-referencing the engraving style, its specific serial number block, and the corresponding archival record. This rigorous process is essential for establishing provenance, as the market for these rare pieces is unfortunately saturated with sophisticated forgeries.
From Provenance to Market Value
The historical narrative captured in a special engraving directly influences a camera's desirability and market value. A Leica with a verified Luftwaffen-Eigentum or Reichspost engraving, for instance, represents a tangible piece of history, making it significantly rarer and more valuable than a standard production model. Consequently, expert analysis is not merely beneficial but indispensable for accurately assessing both historical significance and financial worth.
Contact Us
Because fake engravings are increasingly common, professional verification is essential. Leica’s historical records allow genuine markings to be confirmed, but only when carefully examined and correctly interpreted.
At Mint & Rare and Wetzlar Camera Auctions, we specialize in:
- Identifying authentic vs. fake engravings
- Interpreting military, factory, export & special-order markings
- Providing expert evaluations and auction guidance
- Determining true collector value
If you’ve discovered an engraving on your Leica or suspect something special, contact us for professional verification and a fair evaluation. Send us the images at info@jogeier.com, by WhatsApp +4318904003 or use our quick form to tell us more https://www.jogeier.com/trade-or-sell
