Rare Early Leica M3 Buddha Ears Double Stroke Rangefinder (1955)

Description

An original vintage 1955 Leica M3 35mm rangefinder camera body, featuring the highly sought-after early "Buddha ear" version strap lugs and iconic double-stroke film advance mechanism. Manufactured in Wetzlar, Germany by Ernst Leitz, the M3 is widely regarded as one of the finest and most influential 35mm film cameras ever engineered.

Condition

Overall Condition: Very Good

Cosmetically in very good pre-owned condition with clean satin chrome top and bottom plates, intact black vulcanite leatherette housing, and clear rangefinder/viewfinder windows. Mechanical functions, double-stroke wind lever, and shutter speeds operate smoothly.

Included

• Leica M3 35mm Rangefinder Camera Body (Serial No. 748464 - Built in 1955, Early "Buddha Ear" Lug Version)
• Leica Body Cap

Key Features

• Desirable early production model featuring classic "Buddha ear" strap eyelets
• Double-stroke film advance mechanism characteristic of early M3 production runs
• Legendary high-magnification (0.91x) combined viewfinder and rangefinder system with automatic brightline frames for 50mm, 90mm, and 135mm lenses
• Extremely precise mechanical focal-plane shutter with speeds from 1s to 1/1000s plus Bulb
• Robust stainless steel M bayonet lens mount opening up access to the world's finest rangefinder optics

Collector's Notes

Early 1955 Leica M3 bodies with the distinctive "Buddha ear" strap lugs are particularly prized by vintage Leica collectors for their historical craftsmanship and transitional mechanical traits from the initial production runs.

Keywords

Leica M3 Body, Early Leica M3, Buddha Ear Lug M3, Vintage 1955 Leica, 35mm Rangefinder Camera, Ernst Leitz Wetzlar