FED S: Fake or not fake

Johan, here are my test shots of that particular FED-S in this forum thread:

http://www.ussrphoto.com/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=767

Cheers,
Vlad.

Hi Johan,

I can only say I often use one of my Fed S (with its regular 2/50) with BW 1600 or 3200 ASA by night or inside monuments such as churches etc.
No particular problem: the 1/20th is perfectly usable and when the wide open diaph is used, it gives that curious look, exactly the same as with my 1936 Leica II with its summar lens...

Amitiйs. Jacques.

A new camera at home, in fact my 30th Fedka.
All different, of course.
I put it in this topic as it is a no name one.

In fact, the cover was wiped (there are some very faint traces). Shutter cradle in aluminium, hole in the pressure plate, and center screw perfectly clear, all that points the NKVD 1d with a serial number between c. 12xxxxx and c. 15xxxxx.
As a proof, the serial # of the lens is 133967: probably original.

Now I miss some last Fed 1s: a Red Flag and a Fed B, for example. If somebody has one of them in double....

Amitiйs. Jacques.

and where did you get that one ?

Stephan

On eBay UK, Stephan.

Amitiйs. Jacques.

Hi all, the FED 1s with FED 50mm 2.0 lens was shipped out to Yuri at Fedka.com today. It will receive a CLA and new shutter curtain, the lens will receive a CLA and collimation for exact matching to the body.

I have included a note, asking to record anyhting found on the inside that could provide a clue to production year and serial number.

Question: were the serial numbers on top plates of FEDs stamped or engraved? Currently, I am rebuilding a Zorki that was converted to a fake Leica Bildberichter, and on the inside of the top plate, the Cyrillic Zorki logo is clearly visible, while the top shows the German eagle, swastika and 'Bildberichter' engraving... Any chanco on this happening with the FED 1s?

Cheers,
Johan

Here's the inside of the top plate:



This is the top plate, air brushed and with filled engravings:


I got the camera off eBay, all brass with a brass Industar 22 with fungus. The typical tourists'camera. Currently I am in the process of completing it to a more historical correct look, in gray with chrome knobs off another Zorki. Just a hobby, I have more war photographers' gear, books and a (still small) photo collection.

are you able to rebuild a real IIIC red curtain wartime leica ? I've one in pieces (everything is there but the curtains are very bad...)... ;-)

Stephan

Hi Johan,

Thanks for the information: what you say about the inside of the cover is interesting.
I'm going to try and unscrew the cover of my no name 1d, and I'll let you know!

Amitiйs. Jacques.

Ha! Quite amusing Johan! Thanks for that image!

Vlad.

@Stephan: I cannot rebuild your camera, unfortunately. I can rebuild this Zorki, because I have another one on the way for parts. While dis-assembling that one, I can reconstruct mine and transplant parts at the same time. My advice: get Tomosy's book on Leica repair, and re-assemble as much of the camera as you can. Then send it off to Will van Manen in Zoetermeer, the Netherlands to complete it, or to Don Goldberg from DAGcamera in the US. You will receive it back in as-new condition.

@Jaqcues: I hope you have taken a top plate off before, it's not that hard, but I would hate to be the cause of marring on your camera... If in doubt, get Tomosy's book and some specialized tools to do the trick. I'm interested in the outcome, I hope Yuri at Fedka will be able to date mine from the inside!

@Vlad: my pleasure, smiling is good for you!

No problem Johan!
Except there is nothing at the back of my no name 1d cover, probably because it was engraved and not stamped!
In fact, I think that only the last series of Fed 1s and Zorki 1s were stamped, but that is to be confirmed.

Amitiйs. Jacques.