Early Kiev - Dresden / Jena samples

These cameras were assembled most probably prior the official production of Kiev cameras in Jena in 1947. They are assembled completely from Dresden Contaxes and do not have any Zeiss serial numbers. The front plate with the bold Kiev logo was made in Jena. The leatherette on the back door was replaced in order to remove Zeiss Ikon logo. So far it is known about the existence of two such cameras. One has no serial numbers at all, the shutter housing has scratched number 13. Another has the engraved Arsenal serial number that dates the camera by 1953. However this engraving was done above the Contax shoe. It is possible that the crate with this batch of early cameras was discovered at the factory warehous and it was decided to sell them as regular Kievs. The scratched number on the shutter housing was removed by brushing.

Further discussions one can find in the following threads:

http://ussrphoto.com/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2771

http://ussrphoto.com/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2826