That's interesting. I also own such a camera now (with the Zorki C reengraved to Zorki 2C). The engraving looks nearly the same. An interesting point is that mine has a serial number that is close to that one in wiki, my also starts with 5999. So could it be that they did not have any top plates for the Zorki 2C anymore and were reengraving existing Zorki C top plates?
Ulrich, I think your guess is a good one ... using up older parts. Or, maybe some completed Zorki-C cameras were left over in 1959 and so they were re-engraved with the "2C" over the original "C" and the added 1/30th synch speed added. It would be a good way to produce more cameras to meet a quota in a given time period.
"to meet a quota" seem to be a reasonable explanation. Often Soviet manufactures did not have enough parts to finish monthly requests (or quote), so they had to improvise. It could also be "upgrade" by small repair shop(s). Possibly even legally authorized upgrades. The only way to find out is to open camera and check hole for synch connector. KMZ most likely use punch and local shop drill.
Zorki 2C
Posted - Aug 29 2009 : 1:48:19 PM
