Rare Early Leica M3 Buddha Ears Double Stroke Rangefinder - Serviced

Description

An exceptionally rare early-production Leica M3 35mm mechanical rangefinder camera body manufactured in Wetzlar, Germany in 1955. Serial number 745879 places this unit within the highly coveted sub-750,000 first-year batch of M3 production. Featuring the rare early signature cornered strap lugs—famously known among collectors as "Buddha Ears"—along with the early double-stroke film advance mechanism, short frame selector lever, and early-style chassis construction. Built around the legendary high-magnification 0.91x rangefinder viewfinder, all-mechanical cloth focal-plane shutter, and native Leica M bayonet mount. Fully serviced and operational.

Condition

Overall Condition: Very Good / Fully Serviced

Cosmetically in authentic, well-preserved vintage condition showing honest signs of use, including light rub marks, surface wear, depression to top plate, and fine bright marks on the chrome top and bottom plates consistent with classic user history. The original black vulcanite body covering remains intact and firm. Viewfinder/rangefinder optics are bright, crystal clear, and freshly cleaned, featuring a sharp, high-contrast double image patch with bright parallax-corrected framelines. Mechanical shutter operates smoothly across all speeds from 1s to 1/1000s plus Bulb. Film advance mechanism, pressure plate, and shutter curtains operate flawlessly following a full technical service. Serial number 745879.

Included

• Rare Early Leica M3 "Buddha Ears" Double Stroke Camera Body (Serial No. 745879)

Key Features

• Rare early "Buddha Ear" cornered strap lug design unique to the earliest 1954–1955 M3 production units
• Classic early Double-Stroke (DS) ratcheted film winding mechanism
• High-magnification 0.91x optical rangefinder finder—the highest magnification finder in Leica M history
• Automatically parallax-corrected viewfinder framelines for 50mm, 90mm, and 135mm lenses
• Fully mechanical horizontal cloth focal-plane shutter operating independently of batteries (1s – 1/1000s + B)
• Native Leica M Bayonet Mount compatible with decades of M-system optics
• Rare early Wetzlar craftsmanship (Serial No. 745879)

Collector's Notes

The sub-750,000 serial number Leica M3s represent the holy grail of production M-series rangefinders. Early 1954–1955 units featuring the distinctly shaped cornered strap eyelets—nicknamed "Buddha Ears" by collectors—were produced in very small numbers before Leitz transitioned to standard rounded lugs. Because many early M3s were heavily modified, converted to single-stroke, or worn out through professional press use, finding a clean, fully serviced "Buddha Ears" example with its original double-stroke mechanism intact represents a significant highlight for serious Leica historians and collectors.

Keywords

Leica M3 Buddha Ears, Early Leica M3, Leica M3 Sub 750k, Leica M3 Double Stroke, Rare Leica M3, Serviced Leica M3, Wetzlar Leica Rangefinder, 1955 Leica M3

Estimated Valuation

• Fair / Non-Serviced, Heavy Top Plate Dents, or Missing Vulcanite: £950 – £1,300
• Very Good / Fully Serviced Working Unit with Light Surface Wear (As Pictured): £1,500 – £2,100
• Excellent / Mint Serviced Collector Grade Unit with Original Matching Box: £2,400 – £3,200+