LEICA IC
Leica Ic (code-named OEGIO360) was offered as a celebration of 100th anniversary of the Leitz Firm16. It was produced from 1949-195118 with serial numbers ranging from 455001 through 56200016. Some sources indicate that the highest serial number was 563100, and that the Leica Ic was made in 2 batches (455001-460000 in 1949-1950 and 563089-563100 in 1952)360.
Technical Specifications
Leica Ic was derived from the Leica IIIc and had the internal improvements made for IIIc16. Leica Ic was the first Leica to feature two spring-loaded360 accessory shoes100. It was mainly marketed for scientific purposes360.
It featured shutter speeds of 1/30, 1/40, 1/60, 1/200, 1/500th and "bulb" of a second and no rangefinder360.
Leica Ic could be converted into the Leica IIc or the Leica IIIc16.
Flaking of the chrome plating was an issue for Leica Ic360.
5000 Leica Ic cameras were made from serial number 440001 through serial number 460000188.
Leica Ic was eventually replaced by Leica If in 1952360.
Collector's Corner
Many Leica enthusiasts and collectors have observed that within a specific range of serial numbers, the body covering of postwar cameras feels distinctly different from the other vulcanite coverings that Leitz used before that time. This material has a grain that seems to be oriented vertically and has a somewhat rough texture. Its resemblance to a certain type of leather has led it to be referred to as "sharkskin". It appears that cameras produced shortly after the war often featured this type of covering. Some selected Leica Ic cameras had this type of covering affixed171 instead of standard smooth vulcanite360.