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New Member - Old Serial Numbers

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Printed on: 5/15/2026 3:43:08 AM


Topic

Topic author: Mal1905

Posted on: 20090326110810

Hi all,

I'm new here but have been using Russian lenses for a while now, and have just bought my first cameras (Zenit E - Moscow Olympics 1980 & Zorki-4 1967 Jubileum) and am awaiting their delivery.

I've built up a pretty decent collection of lenses, but am curious about serial numbers. For the most part, I understand that the first two digits of the number will be the year of manufacture, and that a zero might suggest a lens made for somebody important.

My question is this - is there any significance to three zeros at the start of a serial number? I'm not selling the lens in question, nor will I ever do so as any of the Russian lenses I own are full-time members of my collection and any/all duplicates have been sold on. It's purely idle curiosity - call it nosiness if you want!

Thanks in advance for any advice, and this looks like a great forum!

Mal

Replies

Reply author: Poolhall

Replied on: 20090326111707

Hi Mal, I see another migrant from mflenses here [:)] Maybe Alain Berry can help, I think he has been trying to sort out the intricacies of the serial numbers with themoleman from mflenses, fraid I cant help you with any more than you know

Samsung GX-10,too many Russian Lenses, A lot of Zenit, some Yashica,and a Pentax Body also finally a Minox35GT