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Helios 40 with non-standart SN (KMZ)

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Printed on: 5/13/2026 12:29:38 AM


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Topic author: Moxies

Posted on: 20130816172807

Hello,

First of all, I'm new here, so let me quickly introduce myself : I'm 27 y-o, french, and I'm collecting soviet lenses [:)] .

I recently acquired an Helios 40, but I'm quite puzzled by its serial number. It's serial number type 11xxxx. It's first time I see such SN on KMZ lens. We all know that MMZ had such SN, where the first digit give the year in the decade (exemple : 874510 = 1968), but KMZ never did that (as far as I know).
Also, to confirm that, we can see on the H-40 page of zenitcamera.com an Helios 40 with SN 610631 (http://www.zenitcamera.com/archive/lenses/helios-40.html). So, lenses from 61 had normal SN. Lens production started in 56, so, no way to have this lens made in 51, and in 71, Helios 40-2 was already produced.
There is the № in front of the first 1, so no missing digit.
Focal is written in mm, without П.

Do you know what could this serial number mean?

Thanks for attention,

Best Reguards,