Strange numbers on Kiev-Contax from 1950

Hello,

a friend of mine has got this Kiev-III with Contax cover.
Could anybody explain meaning of this numbers on it?













Regards, Alexander

Hi Alexander,

As you know, "50346" is a regular serial number for a 1950 Kiev III. In 1950, serial numbers are of the 50xxxx type for the II and 50xxx for the III.
"4179" seems a normal number for a 1949/50 Kiev II production. I suppose that the Kiev III have such a number too.
I don't know the meaning of the number on the front which can be seen on all the cameras too. Another number is missing: under the bayonet plate.

All in all, that could be an interesting black market camera, made with spare parts. To know more, it would be necessary to have photos of the rangefinder prism, and of the traces of moulding inside.

But some others forumers will tell more...

Amitiйs. Jacques.

Hello,

That camera is on my wish list ;)

Like Jacques I would love to see if the rangefinder is of Zeiss manufacture. Also the meter is "D.I.N." scale ?

Thanks !
jean

Alexander, look at this thread:

http://ussrphoto.com/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2970

My KIEV III has serial number 50347. I think that yours may look nearly the same inside.

Ulrich


http://fotos.cconin.de

Thanks Ulrich.

So, shutter s/n has little or no relation with camera s/n.

Hello guys,

thank you very much for information, I will ask the camera owner for additional photos with rangefinder prism.


Regards, Alexander

It's very interesting to know that Ulrich's Kiev III is just a number past this one....
The internal number should be not too far. It's not the case. Perhaps a clue more for a black market camera...

Jacques.

Jacques,

yes, I also wondered a bit that the shutter number is so far away. But look at the scratching, it's the same style (look at the "9").
Could be a black market camera or somebody changed the front mask later to sell it as a Contax, who knows.

Ulrich
Btw, I've found a very interesting Leica fake, based on an early FED 1a with serial number around 7000 to 8000. I open a thread to it later when I have the time (a lot of work in the garden waits for me the next weeks).

http://fotos.cconin.de

By the way, interesting, that the serial numbers on 50346 and my 50347 are both misaligned to the edge of the accessorie shoe. Maybe the same guy has stamped them in :-)

Ulrich

http://fotos.cconin.de

Yes, it can be a fake too, Ulrich. But I don't think so; I don't know why exactly...
Here, two photos of a black market Contax II, recently sold. With Jena Contax parts. Alas, I was not the winner!





Amitiйs. Jacques.