The Different Leica M3 Olive Bundeseigentum Cameras - Jo Geier
Leica M3 Cameras for the German Military. In the mid 1950's the West German military was in need for cameras and asked Leitz for sample units of their current production cameras. Leitz produced a Leica IIIf and M3 in grey paint finish as samples. This color (Feldgrau = field gray) has already been in use by the German army before, in WWII. The Bundeswehr however switched to the military green finish and made the decision to go with the then advanced Leica M3.
Shown here are three different versions of the M3 in olive green finish.
Leica M3 olive „Bundeseigentum“ - Early
© Wetzlar Camera Auctions
The Leica M3 with serial number 916138 in olive paint finish is an early double stroke version, unusually located within the 916.xxx serial numbers and has been delivered as a single issue in 1958. Decal on top cover "BMVtdg". The abbreviation means "Bundesministerium für Verteidigung (Defense Ministry)". Back of the topplate engraved „Bundeseigentum“. The entry in the Leitz camera assembly records for this serial number reads "olivgrün (olive green)". It is equipped with the original Elmar 5 cm f/3.5, engraved "Bundeseigentum 12-121-5419". With ITOOY lens hood, Leicameter-MC with case and olive green everready-case. All accessories also engraved / embossed with the Military contract numbers.
The olive green vulcanite with a rough structure as on this camera was used until the 927.xxx serial number range.
Leica M3 olive „Bundeseigentum“ - Late
The Leica M3 with serial number 1100415 in olive paint finish is a late single stroke version and has been delivered in a batch of 50 cameras in 1958. Back of the topplate engraved „Bundeseigentum“. This camera came from a collector in an outfit with three lenses. Elmar 50 mm f/2.8 Nr. 1727622 engraved „Bundeseigentum 12-121-5971“, Summaron 35 mm f/2.8 Nr. 2050528 engraved „6760-12-130-0901“ and Hektor 135 mm f/4.5 Nr. 1825156 engraved „Bundeseigentum 12-133-4870“. ITOOY lens hood engraved „Bundeseigentum 12-121-5529“ and 12575 lens hood engraved "Y-6760-12-124-2941“ (from a later (M4 olive) outfit with „Y“ engraving as on the late Elmar 50 mm f/2.8 lens), Leicameter MC and olive green outfit case.
The vulcanite with fine structure already.
Leica M3 olive „Bundeswehreigentum“
© Wetzlar Camera Auctions
The last version of the Leica M3 olive and at the same time one of the very last M3 cameras ever produced. After the last chrome series with serial numbers 11648xx in 1967, 38 units of this version with numbers 1206962 to 1206999 were made in 1968. The camera shown here is the fourth from the last in this series and is offered for sale in the Wetzlar Camera Auction on October 09 2021 in Wetzlar.
With typical (late) engraving "Bundeswehreigentum" on the back of the topplate, golden decal "BWB 1266" with federal eagle. The camera was obviously hardly used by the troops and is in an incredibly beautiful, almost like new, original condition. Leitz Wetzlar "£" repair seal.
With Summaron 35 mm f/2.8 (RF) Nr. 2050505 with engraving "6760-12-130-0908" in olive leather case, with lens hood 12585 with engraving "Y-6760-12-121-5529" in original box with rubber stamp "BWB 1482" and federal eagle; Elmar 5 cm f/3.5 Nr. 1335695 with engraving "Bundeseigentum 12-121-5419"; Tele-Elmar 135 mm f/4 Nr. 2082896 (slight cementing defects) with engraving "6760-12-140-9090", with lens hood 12575 with engraving "Y-6760-12-124-2941"; Leicameter MC Nr. 97475 with engraving "Bundeseigentum 12-121-5608" in olive leather case with embossing "Bundeseigentum 12-121-5710"; short mount ZOOAN for 135 mm lens head with engraving "Bundeseigentum 12-121-5864"; cassette 14006 with golden decal "BWB 1482" with federal eagle in container with rubber stamp, in original box with sticker "6760-12-121-3642"; late olive everready case, inside with rubber stamp "BWB 1482"; olive compartment case.
The camera already without the lens lock release guard and engraved „Bundeswehreigentum“ without military number.
Literature: James L. Lager, "Leica, an illustrated History", Vol. I (cameras), p. 184 (exactly this camera is illustrated).
Most of the olive green M3 cameras have been recorded in 5 batches plus a few smaller batches and some single issues.
100 Cameras 1957 910501 – 910600
21 Cameras 1958 920501 – 920521
90 Cameras 1959-1961 927671 - 927760
50 Cameras 1964 1100401 – 1100450
5 Cameras 1967 1158996 – 1159000
38 Cameras 1968 1206962 – 1206999
Known serial numbers of cameras outside of these batches are for instance in the 916.xxx and 920.xxx serial number batch:
916138 & 916203 & 920303 are delivered as single issues.
The 927.xxx series is the last series with the rough structured vulcanite covering.
For detailed specifications and improvements within the Leica M3 production please refer to the Leica Historica 25 Jahre (25 years) book.
We assume that a total of just slightly over 300 cameras have been produced. The exact number is still uncertain.
Therfore it is much rarer than the Leica M3 in black paint finish which has been produced in a total of approximately 1400 - 1500 specimens.
On a later Blog we will present you the military M4 and M1 cameras as well as several lenses, accessories and their military numbers.
Stay tuned!
See our Youtube video regarding the stunning M3 olive outfit.
