LEICA IIIA MODEL G

The naming convention for early Leica camera models was different in Europe than in the USA³¹³. Referred to as "IIIa" in Europe and "G" in the USA³¹³.

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In his "Geburtstage der Leitz-Foto-Konstruktionen ab 1927" book, Wilhelm Albert dated the "birthday" of the Leica IIIa with slow shutter mechanism ("Leica Model III a mit Hemmwerk (1 sec.)") as January 17, 1933, and Oskar Barnack and Wilhelm Albert as designers⁵⁷³. The same source listed the "birthday" of the Leica IIIa with 1/1000 of a second shutter speed ("Leica Model III a mit 1/1000 sec") as October 30, 1934, and Oskar Barnack and Wilhelm Albert as designers⁵⁷³.

The first Leica IIIa Model G camera was completed in July 1934⁴⁷⁶. The camera then went through testing stage and was demonstrated at the Spring Fair of 1935, on the 10th anniversary of the birth of Leica⁴⁷⁶.

Code names

AGNOO was the codeword for Leica IIIa, body only⁵³⁴.

LUOOB was the codeword for Leica IIIa, body only in the U.S.A⁵³⁴.

ADKOO was the codeword for Leica IIIa with 5cm f/2 Summar lens⁵³⁴.

LIOON was the codeword for Leica IIIa with 5cm f/2 Summar lens in the U.S.A⁵³⁴.

ADOOR was the codeword for Leica IIIa with 5cm f/3.5 Elmar lens⁵³⁴.

LEOOR was the codeword for Leica IIIa with 5cm f/3.5 Elmar lens in the U.S.A⁵³⁴.

Finishes

Of 92687 Leica IIIa Model G cameras produced, only 800 were finished in black³⁶⁰. According to K. Weigel, the cameras had serial numbers ranging from 156201 through 175850⁵⁹⁵. These black cameras were primarily reserved for the export market³⁶⁰. The "Leica Historica - Band I Gewindekameras 1925-1960", compiled by Willy Hahne, also stated that there were 800 such cameras⁵⁴⁰. James L. Lager reported that he wasn't able to discover any information pertaining to the 800 black Leica IIIa Model G cameras allegedly manufactured in 1935⁵⁴⁰. James L. Lager closed the paragraph by stating that further research would be needed⁵⁴⁰.

Technical Specifications

The Leica IIIa Model G was the last true "Barnack" camera built under Oskar Barnack's supervision³³². It featured the original internal design and was essentially a Leica III Model F from 1933, with the only modification being the addition of a 1/1000th shutter speed³³² which was introduced for the first time with this model³⁵⁸. The slow shutter speeds ranged from 1/20th of a second down to 1 second, plus there was a "T" option on the front dial³³². The viewfinder provided an image slightly larger than half-life size and was centered closely to the lens, minimizing parallax error even at one meter distance³³². The centrally located viewfinder eyepiece was particularly helpful when handholding the camera tightly against the face at very slow shutter speeds in low light conditions³³². The rangefinder window was located on the left side of the camera and featured a rotating diopter correction eyepiece³³².

Earlier models had L-shaped viewfinder window frame with a bulge on one side, while later ones had square viewfinder window frame⁵⁷⁹.

Winding the film could have been done quickly with a simple twist of the knob³³². The slow speed dial adjusted from 1/20 of a second to 1/8 of a second, and then down to a full second and "T"³³². The shutter release button activated the shutter with just over 1/16 of an inch of downward pressure³³². Additionally, the surrounding ring was removable, allowing for the attachment of a cable release³³².

With the baseplate removed, two shutter tension adjusting star nuts were visible on the left, while the bright metal shutter brake cam was positioned with the shutter wound and ready to trip³³². On the right side, the take-up spool was visible³³². This was the view a photographer experienced while reloading film—holding the camera upside down, suspended by its neck strap, with the lens resting against their chest³³². The slot in the cam indicated that the camera was previously modified to accommodate a Leitz flash synchronizing baseplate, model BUNOO (dated 1939), or the NY flash synchronizing baseplate, model BLISE, which became available after 1941³³².

As of February 1937, baseplates for Leica IIIa Model G cameras were equipped with a locking lever³⁶⁴.

A 1935 report indicated that Wilhelm Albert and Oskar Barnack created a shutter release designed for left-handed individuals to use with the Leica IIIa Model G in the same year³⁶⁴.

It had been two years since the last delivery of the Leica IIIa Model G when Karl Crös developed a flash synchronization for this model in 1952, according to a report from February 20, 1952³⁶⁴.

Conversions

Whenever new features were introduced in existing models or when new models were released, Leitz provided the option to update existing cameras or convert them to the latest model³¹³. Conversions for screw mount Leica cameras remained available until the late 1950s³¹³.

It was possible to convert the Leica models with serial number below 360000 (and installing full synchronization to the cameras with serial numbers above 160000)³¹³. The following conversions were possible³¹³:

One could convert from “Leica I Model A” to “Leica IIIa Model G”³¹³
One could convert from “Leica I Model C” to “Leica IIIa Model G”³¹³
One could convert from “Leica Standard Model E” to “Leica IIIa Model G”³¹³
One could convert from “Leica II Model D” to “Leica IIIa Model G”³¹³
One could convert from “Leica III Model F” to “Leica IIIa Model G”³¹³
One could convert from “Leica IIIa Model G” to “Leica IIIa Model G syn”³¹³

Cameras with serial numbers below 360000 couldn’t be converted into the Leica IIIc and Leica IIIf cameras for technical reasons³¹³.

Cameras with serial numbers below 160000 required separate price quotation for the addition of the synchronization³¹³.

Gifts and Special Cameras

A prototype Leica IIIa Model G (number 142274 ⁵⁴⁰), also known as Leica 75, with enlarged film chambers to take 75 full-frame 24x36 mm exposures was available for view in the museum at Solms⁵³⁴circa 2002⁵⁷⁰. It was illustrated on the page 75 of Paul-Henry van Hasbroeck's "The Leica: A History Illustrating every Model and Accessory" book and described as "75 exposure capacity camera, of which only this experimental model was made (c. 1934)"³⁶⁰ . 2 photographs illustrating the camera were featured on page 37 of "Leica. Tsushin No. 6: Mechanism and Prototype" magazine in 2002⁵⁷⁰. There, the author described it as that "a few of these models were ever made. Therefore, it's not a prototype. I actually saw this Leica in Ginza, Tokyo. It was displayed in the window of a now-defunct used camera shop. I think it was priced at 750,000 yen. I regret not buying it...This prototype-like camera is a modified version of the IIIa, which I believe was used for special purposes during the war..."⁵⁷⁰. It was illustrated on page 118 of James L. Lager's "Leica: An Illustrated History - Volume 1 - Cameras - Signed Deluxe Limited Edition" book⁵⁴⁰.

Leica IIIa Model G with serial number of 175000 was presented to Leopold Mannes in 1935²⁵⁸.

Leica IIIa Model G with serial number of 200000 was presented to Dr. Paul Wolff in 1936²⁵⁸. Camera was no longer in Dr. Wolff's archive in 2003²⁵⁸.

The camera number 238716, dated 1937, belonged to Alfred Eisenstaedt⁴⁰¹. The camera was sold for 114000 Euros including buyer's premium at the 23rd WestLicht Camera Auction on May 25, 2013⁴⁰¹. The lot was described as "The personal camera of Alfred Eisenstaedt, which he used on August 14, 1945 for the famous V-J Day photo, one of the most iconic photographs in history ! 'In Times Square on V-J Day, I saw a sailor running along the street grabbing every girl in sight. I was running ahead of him with my Leica looking back over my shoulder. Then suddenly, in a flash, I saw something white being grabbed. I turned around and clicked the moment the sailor kissed the nurse...I took exactly four pictures. It was done within a few seconds' (Alfred Eisenstaedt). The same camera he still used almost 50 years later and two years before he passed away for his very last shooting with President Clinton and his family. Camera body in used condition with later Summitar 2/5cm no.658134 and the original VIOOH finder no.60637. It comes with legal notarized transfer document that this camera belonging to Alfred Eisenstaedt was given 1997 to William Marks, the present owner, by Lu Lu Kaye, Eisenstaedt's sister-in-law. With photographs of Eisenstaedt with the Leica (also the copy of a print by Life photographer Bill Shrout from August 14th, 1945 and showing Eisenstaedt with his Leica IIIa just before he took the photo of the sailor kissing the nurse). A signed large format print of the famous photograph is auctioned in our print sale on May, 24th."⁴⁰¹.

A report from June 1937 indicated that in that year 20 Leica IIIa Model G cameras, with serial numbers ranging from 239606 to 239626, were sent to Singapore for testing in high humidity and intense sunlight conditions³⁶⁴. The report mentioned that the cameras were equipped with shutter blinds that were dyed red on one side³⁶⁴. The results of the tests were positive³⁶⁴. Of these 20, the chrome Leica IIIa Model G camera with serial number 239622 was sold for 150 pounds including buyer's premium at Toovey's auction on September 8th, 2011.

Camera with serial number 250000 was awarded in 1937 to Dr. Wilhelm Filchner to replace Leica I with serial number 50000, lost (left behind⁵³⁰) in Asia⁴⁸.

Camera with serial number 256399 was known as one of 2 "Hindenburg" Leica cameras. The camera was a silent witness to the Hindenburg Zeppelin explosion in May 1937 at Lakehurst, U.S.A., which marked the end of the era of large dirigible airships⁴⁹⁸. According to "Leica. Tsushin No. 6: Mechanism and Prototype" magazine article, this camera was a Leica III and not the commonly believed Leica IIIa⁵⁷⁰. Fritz Deeg of Bregenz, Austria, was one of the last survivors of the incident. At the time, he was working as a steward aboard the Zeppelin⁴⁹⁸. A keen photographer, Deeg had a Leica IIIa camera with him⁴⁹⁸. He managed to escape the flames by jumping seven meters to safety⁴⁹⁸. A few hours later, after the fire was extinguished, he recovered his camera from the wreckage, although it was no longer functional⁴⁹⁸. Deeg kept the damaged camera as a souvenir from 1937 until 1986⁴⁹⁸. In 1986, he donated it to Michael von Rosen, the head of Leitz Austria, for the Leica Museum in Vienna⁴⁹⁸. Later, The camera was sold for 60000 Euros including buyers premium at the 2-3 WestLicht Photographica Auction on May 23, 2003⁴²¹. The lot had the following description, which is different from what Leica Fotografie magazine article suggested⁴²¹: "The Leica equipment from Fritz Deeg, the steward on the Hindenburg on 6th May 1937. Three days after the crash of the Hindenberg, Deeg found the remains of his camera equipment at the crash site which included a Leica IIIa, a Vidom viewfinder, a Nooky close-up attachment, Elmar f/4 9cm lens, two filters and lens cap. In 1970 Michael von Rosen aquired the camera direct from Fritz Deeg. The camera came with authentic, original archive material including the newspaper, The New York American, morning edition dated 7th May 1937 with the legend “Hindenburg Explodes at Lakehurst 35 dead”, in-flight brochure with seating plan and journey information, an unopened letter with Hindenburg emblem sent from New York to Frankfurt with Lakehurst Trans-Atlantic flight postmark dated 11 May 1936 and a similar letter on Hindenburg paper with envelope dated 1936 sent by another passenger, an in-flight brochure for the Graf Zeppelin, original press photograph of the Hindenburg crew on the airship which includes Fritz Deeg, a postcard sent from the Graf Zepplin by Fritz Deeg and another postcard with Zepplin postmark, two publicity photographsof the Hindenburg, five press photographs of the disaster, photographs of von Rosen and Fritz Deeg together in 1971, two blue-prints and schematic drawings of airships, three contemporary photographs of the Hindenburg in flight, taken in 1936, three framed photographs relating to the Graf Zeppelin and other material." ⁴²¹ A photograph illustrating 256399 and 305442 (the other burnt Leica IIIa) was featured in "Leica. Tsushin No. 6: Mechanism and Prototype" magazine in 2002⁵⁷⁰. According to the magazine article, there were 2 Leica cameras on that airship: 256399 (the magazine referred to it as Leica III) with VIDOM attached to it, and 305442 (Leica IIIa)⁵⁷⁰. 2 cameras, 4 lenses and 1 VIDOM viewfinder from the airship were demonstrated in the Leitz Museum at Leica Headquarters in 2002⁵⁷⁰.

The camera number 259404 was David Douglas Duncan's Leica IIIa Model G³³². This was likely the camera he used with Kodachrome while serving as a Marine in the Pacific³³². It was definitely one of the two cameras, along with a Leica IIIc, that he utilized to take photographs for LIFE magazine during the Korean War in 1950³³².

Camera with serial number 305442 was known as the other one of 2 "Hindenburg" Leica cameras. A photograph illustrating 256399 (the other burnt Leica IIIa) and 305442 was featured in "Leica. Tsushin No. 6: Mechanism and Prototype" magazine in 2002⁵⁷⁰. According to the magazine article, there were 2 Leica cameras on that airship: 256399 (Leica III) with VIDOM attached to it, and 305442 (Leica IIIa)⁵⁷⁰. 2 cameras, 4 lenses and 1 VIDOM viewfinder from the airship were demonstrated in the Leitz Museum at Leica Headquarters in 2002⁵⁷⁰.

Other Cameras

According to a report from March of 1938, two Leica III Model F or Leica IIIa Model G cameras with unknown serial numbers were experimentally produced with rhodium-plated parts³⁶⁴.

Approximately twenty-four specimens of the Leica III Model F and Leica IIIa Model G cameras were the first to feature red blinds³⁶⁰. According to Dennis Laney, these cameras were made during World War II⁵³⁴. The author of this website is unaware of the serial numbers for those cameras.

Military

Some Leica IIIa Model G cameras had military features⁵². In fact, Leica IIIa Model G was the first Leica camera to be supplied to the German armed forces³⁶⁰. These cameras were typically engraved with military insignia, such as "Heer" or "Luftwaffen-Eigentum"³⁶⁰.

It was reported on October 22, 1941 that Wilhelm Albert developed a variant of Leica IIIa Model G camera with a special "sight" marking (visier, German) inside the viewfinder³⁶⁴. These fiducial point markings will later appear inside the viewfinders of 30 special Leica IIIc cameras made for military order number 25857³⁶⁴on September 16, 1941²⁸⁰. These points divided the long dimension of the Leica format⁵⁴⁰. The negatives produced featured "notches" that corresponded to the position of these points⁵⁴⁰. These notches, which always appeared in the center of the format, could serve as an index or reference for making measurements⁵⁴⁰. Some of these cameras were listed on the "Leica IIIc" page of Summichronica.com.

Some known military cameras

Leica IIIa Model G number 134674 was associated with the British Royal Air Force. It was illustrated on page 176 of Shinichi Nakamura's "Everything About the Barnack-type Leica" (1992) book. It was engraved with A.P. 8665 below "Leica" inscription.
Leica IIIa Model G number 161947 was associated with the British Royal Air Force³⁷⁸. The top plate of the camera is engraved with military arrow, "W" and "D" (for "War Department")³⁷⁸. The camera was delivered to Brussels, Belgium, on May 23, 1935³⁷⁸. The camera was sold for 2640 Euros including buyer's premium at the 45th Leitz Photographica Auction on November 23, 2024³⁷⁸.
Leica IIIa Model G number 164741 in chrome finish and dated 1935 was illustrated on page 92 of James L. Lager's "Leica: An Illustrated History - Volume 1 - Cameras - Signed Deluxe Limited Edition" book⁵⁴⁰. The photograph was credited to "Allen photo"⁵⁴⁰. The camera was engraved with Reichsadler on the far top left corner of the top plate and Artl. above serial number⁵⁴⁰.
Leica IIIa Model G number 173338 in chrome finish was associated with British military⁶⁰². It was illustrated on page 78 of Shinichi Nakamura's "Leica Collection" (1991) book⁶⁰². The camera had "PATT 8665" engraved on its top plate⁶⁰².
Leica IIIa Model G number 174887 in chrome finish was associated with British military⁵⁸⁵. It was engraved with 'A M' and crown on the top plate denoting Air Ministry property, and was originally delivered to Berlin on October 5, 1935⁵⁸⁵. It was sold for 10800 Euros including buyer's premium at the 48th Leitz Photographica Auction on June 13, 2026⁵⁸⁵.
Leica IIIa Model G number 179356 in chrome finish and dated 1935 was illustrated on page 102 of James L. Lager's "Leica: An Illustrated History - Volume 1 - Cameras - Signed Deluxe Limited Edition" book⁵⁴⁰. The photograph was credited to "Messer photo"⁵⁴⁰. The camera is associated with British military and has Royal Air Force (RAF) reference number "14A/1970" engraved on the top plate⁵⁴⁰.
Leica IIIa Model G number 197334 is associated with the British Royal Navy³⁸¹. Camera was sold for 4080 Euros including buyer's premium at the 42nd Leitz Photographica Auction on June 9 and 10, 2023³⁸¹. It is engraved PATT 8665 inventory number on the top plate under "Ernst Leitz Wetzlar"³⁸¹.
Leica IIIa Model G number 198047 is associated with the British Royal Navy³⁸². The camera was engraved with PATT 8665 inventory number and delivered to London on May 25, 1936³⁸². It was sold for 43200 Euros including buyer's premium at the 41st Leitz Photographica Auction on November 26, 2022³⁸².
Leica IIIa Model G number 199813 was engraved Artl. (Naval Artillery) and Reichsadler⁵⁴⁹. It was illustrated on the Page 16 of the "Classic Camera" magazine Issue 13 from February 1999⁵⁴⁹.
Leica IIIa Model G number 201531 in chrome finish was associated with British Royal Navy⁵⁸⁵. It was engraved with "PATT 8665" on the top plate⁵⁸⁵. It was sold for 4800 Euros including buyer's premium at the 48th Leitz Photographica Auction on June 13, 2026⁵⁸⁵.
Leica IIIa Model G number 216554 dating year 1936 with "Fl. No. 38078" engraving had "Luftwaffen-Eigentum" marking in the following style: Small, delicate letters painted on vulcanite²²⁵. It was illustrated on page 84 of James L. Lager's "Leica: An Illustrated History - Volume 1 - Cameras - Signed Deluxe Limited Edition" book⁵⁴⁰. The photograph was credited to "King photo"⁵⁴⁰. This was the earliest camera that James L. Lager was able to associate with the Luftwaffe⁵⁴⁰.
Leica IIIa Model G number 234466 dating year 1937 is associated with the British Royal Navy³⁹⁸. The camera is engraved with "PATT 8572" and was sold for 1440 Euros including buyer's premium at the 25th WestLicht Camera Auction on March 22, 2014³⁹⁸.
Leica IIIa Model G number 243883 in chrome finish had Hakenkreuz and MF685 engraved on its top plate and was believed to be associated with the Kriegsmarine (German Navy)⁵⁶⁹. In 1995, the camera was part of Kenjiro Nakamura's collection and was exhibited at the "History and Development of Imaging" exhibition at the Memorial Museum of the Machine Industry⁵⁶⁹. The photograph of the camera was featured on the pages of Camera Review No. 37 (Leica-Book '96), published by Asahi Sonorama (Tokyo) in 1996⁵⁶⁹.
Leica IIIa Model G number 276600 in chrome finish was illustrated on page 70 of Shinichi Nakamura's "Leica Collection" (1991) book⁶⁰²and on page 171 of Shinichi Nakamura's "Everything About the Barnack-type Leica" (1992) book. It had "M103" (associated with German Navy) engraved above serial number.
Leica IIIa Model G number 293134 in chrome finish and dated 1938 was illustrated on page 102 of James L. Lager's "Leica: An Illustrated History - Volume 1 - Cameras - Signed Deluxe Limited Edition" book⁵⁴⁰. The camera is associated with British military and "AM" (Air Ministry) and crown engraved on the top plate⁵⁴⁰.
Leica IIIa Model G number 300445 in chrome finish was engraved "Heer" on the top plate⁵⁸⁵. It was sold for 2280 Euros including buyer's premium at the 48th Leitz Photographica Auction on June 13, 2026⁵⁸⁵.
Leica IIIa Model G number 306098 was engraved Artl. (Naval Artillery) and Reichsadler⁵⁴⁹. It was illustrated on the Page 16 of the "Classic Camera" magazine Issue 13 from February 1999⁵⁴⁹.
Leica IIIa Model G number 310257 dating year 1938 is associated with the British Air Force³⁹⁸. The camera is engraved with "14A/1970" and arrow and was sold for 1560 Euros including buyer's premium at the 25th WestLicht Camera Auction on March 22, 2014³⁹⁸.
Leica IIIa Model G number 315353 with 5cm f/2 Summar lens was delivered to Luftwaffe in 1939³⁶⁴.
Leica IIIa Model G number 315354 with 5cm f/2 Summar lens was delivered to Luftwaffe in 1939³⁶⁴.
Leica IIIa Model G number 315355 with 5cm f/2 Summar lens was delivered to Luftwaffe in 1939³⁶⁴.
Leica IIIa Model G number 338476 in chrome finish was very first Leica delivered to Luftwaffe³⁶⁴. The top plate is engraved "Fl. No.38079" under "Leica D.R.P. Ernst Leitz Wetzlar" engraving and the vulcanite is stamped "Luftwaffen-Eigentum"³⁶⁴. The camera was sold for 15600 Euros including buyer's premium at the 23rd WestLicht Camera Auction on May 25, 2013⁴⁰¹. The lot was described as "This is the very first Leica delivered to the Luftwaffe (see: 30 Jahre Leica Historica 'Screwmount cameras with military engravings'), in very fine original condition and good working order, top plate engraved 'Fl.No.38079', stamped 'Luftwaffen-Eigentum' on the vulcanite, with 'Luftwaffen-Eigentum' Elmar 3.5/5cm no.546514 (cap), camera delivered to Luftwaffe BLN Berlin on August 26th, 1939 (delivery number 814), lens delivered to Luftwaffe BLN Berlin on January 7th, 1941 (delivery number 19559)"⁴⁰¹.
Leica IIIa Model G number 340792 in chrome finish was delivered to Kriegsmarine (German Navy)³⁶⁴in 1939⁵⁴⁰. The camera featured M103 engraving above the serial number³⁶⁴. The Reichsadler was defaced⁵⁴⁰. It was illustrated on page 97 of James L. Lager's "Leica: An Illustrated History - Volume 1 - Cameras - Signed Deluxe Limited Edition" book⁵⁴⁰.
Leica IIIa Model G number 340513 in chrome finish was associated with British Royal Air Force⁵⁸⁵. It was described as "bottom plate engraved with the military arrow and the contract number '14A/1970'"⁵⁸⁵. It was sold for 4800 Euros including buyer's premium at the 48th Leitz Photographica Auction on June 13, 2026⁵⁸⁵.
Leica IIIa Model G number 340992 in chrome finish and dated 1939⁵⁴⁰. It was illustrated in Kikuo Urago's "Leica MANUAL" book in 1984⁵⁹⁸and on page 92 of James L. Lager's "Leica: An Illustrated History - Volume 1 - Cameras - Signed Deluxe Limited Edition" book⁵⁴⁰. The photograph was credited to "Urago photo"⁵⁴⁰. The camera was engraved with "M 111"⁵⁴⁰.
Leica IIIa Model G number 342536 dated 1939 had Reichsadler and M17 engraved on the top plate⁵⁴⁰. It was illustrated on page 97 of James L. Lager's "Leica: An Illustrated History - Volume 1 - Cameras - Signed Deluxe Limited Edition" book⁵⁴⁰.

Deliveries

In 1935, there were 13650 Leica IIIa Model G cameras delivered, with serial numbers ranging from 156201 through 183500³⁶⁴. In 1936, there were 23660 Leica IIIa Model G cameras delivered, with serial numbers ranging from 183751 through 225200³⁶⁴. In 1937, there were 26900 Leica IIIa Model G cameras delivered, with serial numbers ranging from 225301 through 268400³⁶⁴. In 1938, there were 19675 Leica IIIa Model G cameras delivered, with serial numbers ranging from 268501 through 310600³⁶⁴. In 1939, there were 10224 Leica IIIa Model G cameras delivered, with serial numbers ranging from 311201 through 344000³⁶⁴. In 1946, there were 26 Leica IIIa Model G cameras delivered, with serial numbers ranging from 353957 through 354075³⁶⁴. In 1947, there were 300 Leica IIIa Model G cameras delivered, with serial numbers ranging from 354001 through 356650³⁶⁴. 1950 marked the last year for deliveries, with 486 Leica IIIa Model G cameras delivered, with serial numbers ranging from 356701 through 357186³⁶⁴.

Closing Remarks

Leica IIIa Model G went out of production in 1950 with serial number 357186, with 94921 cameras produced³⁶⁴.

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Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" cameras

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" cameras were produced between 1949 and 1951 in the town of Sankt Ingbert³²⁶located in Saarland⁶⁷. The serial number range between 359001¹²⁶ - 359997³⁹⁶. The total number of units produced was 500³²⁶ or 509²¹⁰.

History

After World War II, the importation of foreign cameras into France was limited and expensive⁶⁷. As a result, the firm Tiranty, the official representative of Leitz in Paris, ordered a small series of Leica camera bodies, along with spare parts, to be manufactured in the town of Sankt Ingbert³²⁶ located in Saarland⁶⁷. Leitz founded the "Saaroptico GmBH" branch in Sankt Ingbert in 1948³⁶⁴. Saar was a German state that had strong economic ties to France until 1949⁶⁷. They were manufactured in the factory of Dr. Wohler, Inc¹²⁶. At a time when the region was still annexed by France¹²⁶. The Saroptico production facility in the town of Sankt Ingbert located in Saarland was managed by Walter Kluck, who later moved to Canada in 1952 as a sales manager to establish the Ernst Leitz branch in Midland, Ontario, alongside other colleagues³²⁶. The Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" bodies were available only in France until 1951⁶⁷. All of these cameras were sold to France or its colonies³²⁶. On October 15, 1951, Lothar Bohne became the Managing Director of Saaroptico GmbH to oversee this small external organization of Leitz³⁶⁴.

Technical Specifications

The Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" featured a top shutter speed of 1/1000 second³²⁶. The available shutter speeds included: 1/1000, 1/500, 1/200, 1/100, 1/60, 1/40, 1/30, 1/20, 1 second, T, and Z³²⁶. Notably, the top plate, which contained the rangefinder and viewfinder, was separate from the camera body—a design characteristic of pre-war Leica models³²⁶. All cameras came with a chrome plating, consistent with the Leica IIIa Model G³²⁶. The chrome plating on these early models, as well as on the contemporaneous Leica IIIc, might have exhibited certain defects due to the scarcity of materials used in the plating process³²⁶.

Code Name

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" was code-named LUOOB⁶⁷.

Vulcanite

The first 100 to 200 copies of the Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" featured a sharkskin⁶⁷ vulcanite covering, similar to that found on the post-war Leica IIIc³²⁶. However, conventional vulcanite was later reintroduced³²⁶.

Engravings

In addition to the usual engraving on the rangefinder cover, the phrase "Monté en Sarre" was engraved directly beneath the word "Germany."⁶⁷ "Monté en Sarre" translated to "assembled or manufactured in the Saarland."³²⁶ Pre-war Leicas featured the engraving "D.R.P." (Deutsches Reichspatent)³²⁶. This engraving could also be found on most Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" cameras³²⁶. However, there are a few examples that had the "D.B.P." engraving for the "Deutsches Bundes Patent," a designation first used with the Leica IIIf in the early 1950s³²⁶.

Compared to Other Models

Some Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" cameras had features from the Leica IIIc and Leica IIIf models, including drum type shutter brakes, and Leica IIIf type flash synchronization³³². Notably, some of these units included elements from the Leica IIIf, which was not officially released until September 1950³²⁶. The details observed on the Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" included the advance knob and flash synchronization³²⁶. The advance knob feature was merely a memo disc that did not affect actual exposure control³²⁶. Additionally, the camera typically did not come with flash synchronization like the Leica IIIf, but there were instances where this feature was later installed by Leitz³²⁶.

Price

The price of a camera bought in France was nearly 50% lower than that of a Leica IIIf manufactured in Germany and imported into France due to high customs charges on imported cameras⁶⁷.

Some Known Cameras

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 73351, was illustrated on page 82 of James L. Lager's "Leica: An Illustrated History - Volume 1 - Cameras - Signed Deluxe Limited Edition" book⁵⁴⁰. The camera fell outside of known serial number range⁵⁴⁰.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359000 was noteworthy due to its Leica IIIf rangefinder housing, flash synchronization, and the inscription (DBP/GMBH)³⁶⁰. It was difficult to determine whether this camera was sent for modification to Leitz or to Saroptico³⁶⁰. However, if it was sent to Leitz, it would almost certainly have lost its "Monté en Sarre" inscription³⁶⁰.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359004 was auctioned off on November 19, 2022 at an American auction.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359006 dated circa 1949 was sold for 2626 Euros including buyer's premium at the 6th WestLicht Camera Auction on November 6, 2004⁴¹⁸.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359013 dated circa 1949 was sold for 1800 Euros including buyer's premium at the 13th WestLicht Camera Auction on June 7, 2008⁴¹¹.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359018 was featured in Dr. Bahman Bawendi's article on page 34 6/2010 Leica Fotografie International.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359024 was illustrated in Mr. Lars Netopil's "Rare Leica" book in 2014⁵⁹⁴.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359030 was auctioned off on November 15, 2025 at an American auction.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359034 dated 1949 was sold for 1920 Euros including buyer's premium at the 29th WestLicht Camera Auction on November 6, 2016³⁹⁴.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359042 dated 1950 was sold for 2160 Euros including buyer's premium at the 41st Leitz Photographica Auction on November 26, 2022³⁸².

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359047 dated 1949 was sold for 1320 Euros including buyer's premium at the 25th WestLicht Camera Auction on March 22, 2014³⁹⁸.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359078 dated circa 1945 was sold for 1800 Euros including buyer's premium at the 39th Leitz Photographica Auction on November 20, 2021³⁸⁴. Before that, it was auctioned off on June 11,1998 at the Christie's.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359100 was illustrated on the page 69 of Paul-Henry van Hasbroeck's "The Leica: A History Illustrating every Model and Accessory" book³⁶⁰ .

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359119 was illustrated on the page 12 of Camera Review No. 58 (Leica-Book '01), published by Asahi Sonorama (Tokyo).

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359122 was illustrated on page 25 of Shinichi Nakamura's "Leica Collection" (1991) book⁶⁰².

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359126 dated 1949 was sold for 1920 Euros including buyer's premium at the 24th WestLicht Camera Auction on November 23, 2013⁴⁰⁰. Later, it was auctioned off on April 23, 2022 at the Flints Auctions Ltd.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359132 was illustrated in Mr. Lars Netopil's "Rare Leica" book in 2014⁵⁹⁴.

Leica IIIa number 359137 didn't have "Monté en Sarre" engraving and was illustrated in Viewfinder Vol 11 No 3, 1978.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359140 dated 1949 was sold for 1560 Euros including buyer's premium at the 24th WestLicht Camera Auction on November 23, 2013⁴⁰⁰. Before that, it was auctioned off on November 21, 2009 at Auction Team Breker and was described as "built surprisingly enough on basis of a model III instead of a model IIIa, possibly exchanged due to repair".

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359150 was illustrated in Mr. Lars Netopil's "Rare Leica" book in 2014⁵⁹⁴.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359159 was auctioned off on July 18, 2010 at the Leonard Joel's auction in Melbourne, Australia.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359170 was sold for 1680 Euros including buyer's premium at the 45th Leitz Photographica Auction on November 23, 2024³⁷⁸.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359180 dated 1949 was sold for 1800 Euros including buyer's premium at the 21st WestLicht Camera Auction on May 12, 2012⁴⁰³.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359189 was auctioned off on November 15, 2025 at an American auction.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359205, was illustrated on page 82 of James L. Lager's "Leica: An Illustrated History - Volume 1 - Cameras - Signed Deluxe Limited Edition" book⁵⁴⁰.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359208 was auctioned off on March 18, 1999 at the Christie's.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359241 was auctioned off on November 19, 1987 at the Christie's.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359255 was illustrated on the page 69 of Paul-Henry van Hasbroeck's "The Leica: A History Illustrating every Model and Accessory" book³⁶⁰ .

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359256 was auctioned off on April 21, 2007, October 13, 2007, and September 26, 2008 at Auction Team Breker.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359262 was sold for 3600 Euros including buyer's premium at the 21st WestLicht Camera Auction on May 12, 2012⁴⁰³. The lot was described as "ex collection Paul-Henry van Hasbroeck"⁴⁰³.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359264 was auctioned off on November 04, 2014 at the Bonhams 3.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359274 dated 1949 was sold for 900 Euros at the 5th Wetzlar Camera Auction on October 7, 2023⁴²⁴.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359280 was auctioned off on June 1, 2023 at the OstLicht Auctions.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359281 was illustrated on the page 69 of Paul-Henry van Hasbroeck's "The Leica: A History Illustrating every Model and Accessory" book³⁶⁰ .

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359294 was sold for 1920 Euros including buyer's premium at the 23rd WestLicht Camera Auction on May 25, 2013⁴⁰¹. The lot was described as "rare original body with sharkskin covering in good working condition with Elmar 3.5/5cm no.673142 (cap), exactly this camera is illustrated in Paul-Henry van Hasbroeck 'A History Illustrating every Model and Accessory', illustration XVIII"⁴⁰¹.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359310 was sold for 2400 Euros including buyer's premium at the 46th Leitz Photographica Auction on June 27, 2025³⁷⁷. The camera was offered for sale but remained unsold at the 40th Leitz Photographica Auction on June 11, 2022³⁸³. The camera was owned by Camille Heimfert of Commercy, France in 1976 and illustrated in Viewfinder, Vol 9, No 2, Apr-Jun 1976.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359315 dated 1949 was sold for 1000 Euros including buyer's premium at the 1st Wetzlar Camera Auction on October 5, 2019⁴²⁸.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359323 was illustrated in Mr. Lars Netopil's "Rare Leica" book in 2014⁵⁹⁴.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359329 was illustrated on the page 71 of the Dennis Laney's "Leica Collector's Guide" (2nd edition)⁵³⁴.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359337 was illustrated on the page 71 of the Dennis Laney's "Leica Collector's Guide" (2nd edition)⁵³⁴.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359341 dated 1949 was sold for 1680 Euros including buyer's premium at the 26th WestLicht Camera Auction on November 22, 2014³⁹⁷. Before that, it was auctioned off on September 14, 1998 at the Christie's.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359353 was auctioned off on November 19, 2022 at an American auction. Before that, it was auctioned off on April 21, 2007 and March 21, 2009 at Auction Team Breker. It appeared to have re-chromed top plate.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359362, was illustrated on page 82 of James L. Lager's "Leica: An Illustrated History - Volume 1 - Cameras - Signed Deluxe Limited Edition" book⁵⁴⁰.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359366 was auctioned off on June 9, 2007 at Auction Team Breker.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359382 dated 1949 was sold for 1200 Euros including buyer's premium at the 2nd Wetzlar Camera Auction on October 10, 2020⁴²⁷.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359398 dated 1950 was sold for 1800 Euros including buyer's premium at the 12th WestLicht Camera Auction on November 17, 2007⁴¹².

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359405 dated 1949 was sold for 1400 Euros including buyer's premium at the 7th Wetzlar Camera Auction on October 11, 2025⁴²⁹.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359413 was sold for 1920 Euros including buyer's premium at the 16th WestLicht Camera Auction on December 5, 2009⁴⁰⁸.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359426 was auctioned off on November 21, 2025 at the OstLicht Auctions.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359427 was sold for 2400 Euros including buyer's premium at the 34th Leitz Photographica Auction on June 8, 2019³⁸⁹.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359431 dated 1950 was sold for 3120 Euros including buyer's premium at the 17th WestLicht Camera Auction on May 29, 2010⁴⁰⁷.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359441 was auctioned off on December 02, 2003 at the Christie's.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359442 was illustrated on page 168 of Shinichi Nakamura's "Everything About the Barnack-type Leica" (1992) book.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359452 was sold for 2040 Euros including buyer's premium at the 20th WestLicht Camera Auction on November 12, 2011⁴⁰⁴. It was illustrated on page 82 of James L. Lager's "Leica: An Illustrated History - Volume 1 - Cameras - Signed Deluxe Limited Edition" book⁵⁴⁰.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359454 was auctioned off on June 06, 2007 at the Christie's.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359458 dated 1950 was sold for 3438 Euros including buyer's premium at the 5th WestLicht Camera Auction on May 29, 2004⁴¹⁹. Before that, it was sold for 2750 Euros including buyer's premium at the 2nd-3rd WestLicht Camera Auction on May 23, 2003⁴²¹.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359460 dated 1950 was sold for 1680 Euros including buyer's premium at the 19th WestLicht Camera Auction on May 28, 2011⁴⁰⁵.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359463 was offered but remained unsold at the 35th Leitz Photographica Auction on November 23, 2019³⁸⁸.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359495 was auctioned off on June 17, 1999 at the Christie's. Later, it was auctioned off on November 6, 2021 at Auction Team Breker.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359502 was sold for 1800 Euros including buyer's premium at the 31st WestLicht Camera Auction on June 10, 2017³⁹². This camera is an uncommon Leica IIIc (as opposed to Leica IIIa) engraved "Monté en Sarre"³⁹².

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359504, which was authenticated by the accompanying sales receipt dated April 11, 1954, indicated that the original batch of five hundred (with the last camera numbered 359500) might have been exceeded³⁶⁰. It was possible that a few additional cameras were assembled by Saroptico using leftover spare parts, a practice that frequently occurred with Leicas³⁶⁰. It was illustrated on the page 69 of Paul-Henry van Hasbroeck's "The Leica: A History Illustrating every Model and Accessory" book³⁶⁰ .

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359971 dated 1950 was sold for 2040 Euros including buyer's premium at the 9th WestLicht Camera Auction on May 20, 2006⁴¹⁵.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359973 was auctioned off on November 22, 2008 at Auction Team Breker.

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359979 was sold for 2160 Euros including buyer's premium at the 22nd WestLicht Camera Auction on November 24, 2012⁴⁰².

Leica IIIa "Monté en Sarre" number 359997 was sold for 1140 Euros including buyer's premium at the 27th WestLicht Camera Auction on June 13, 2015³⁹⁶.