Very rare early version olive paint Leica M3 'Bundeswehr' from the first production batch, with long strap lugs and double stroke advance, in good, original condition and in perfect working order, with beautiful patina and small bubbles appearing in paint. Engraved 'Bundeseigentum 12-121-5418' on the top plate, with matching Elmar 3.5/5cm no.1334328 engraved 'Bundeseigentum 12-121-5419', ITOOY hood engraved 'Bundeseigentum 12-121-5529'.
When the West German Army (Bundeswehr) was established after 1955, the Leica M cameras formed a large share of the photographic 35mm cameras ordered for the troops. Rare versions are the Leica M3, M1 and later M4 models in the olive paint finish. Leica Produced less than 300 M3 cameras in this finish. The offered example comes from the earliest small batch delivered to the German army in January 1958 and is the 13th olive green M3 made!
Leica M3 olive Bundeseigentum First Batch 910513 in original condition
