The first version of the famous Leica copy.
A limited pre-series of 10 FED cameras was released in 1933, regular production started in 1934.
The parts of the camera, that normally should be chromed are "galvanized" up to No. #5.800. This transitional finish is the result of the lack of chrome in the new factory.
The body of very early cameras often has a smooth black plastic cover instead of Vulcanite, occasionally cameras with different covers like smooth brown plastic, leather, or gray Vulcanite can be found.
Engravings on camera top: „ФЭД Трудкоммуна им. Ф.Э. Дзержинского. Харьков“
Shutter: 1/20, 1/30, 1/40, 1/60, 1/100, 1/200, 1/500 and Z.
Serial number range: up to # 6.000 [According to Princelle].
known examples
#body - #lens ------ turn - cover ---------- metal finish -------------- owner/source
0058 -- 58 ------------ 1 -- smooth black ----------------- preseries-- private
142 --- no lens ------------- pigskin gray ------------------------------- private
155 --- no lens ------------- smooth black ----------------------------- ebay 2013
173 --- ? ------------- 1/2 - smooth black ------------------------------ Photo Arsenal
253 --- 253 ----------------------------------- totally black ------------- private
316 --- ? -------------------- smooth black ----------------------------- Знание и Труд 1936 #4
253 --- 253 ----------------------------------- totally black ------------- private
316 --- ? -------------------- smooth black ----------------------------- Знание и Труд 1936 #4
389 --- 889/389 ------- 1-- matte cover --- totally black ------------- private in Russia
489 --- ? --------------- 1 -- smooth black ----------------------------- DVD Technik
491 --- 491 ------------ 1 -- smooth black ----------------------------- private in Russia
508 --- ?/508 ---------- 1 -- smooth black ----------------------------- private in Russia
575 --- 1190/68 ------------ smooth black ----------------------------- private
600 --- 600 ----------------- Vulcanite ---------------------------------- private in Russia
608 --- ? -------------------- smooth black -----------------------------
689 --- ? -------------------- Vulcanite ---------------------------------- private
698 --- ? -------------------- Vulcanite ---------------------------------- private
793 --- ? --------------- 1 -- pigskin ------------------------------------ private
911 --- ?/934/911 ----- 1 -- smooth black ---------------------------- Alexey Nikitin
927 --- 1050/927 ------ 1 -- Vulcanite --------------------------------- Alexey Nikitin
968 --- 1026/47/968 -- 1 -- smooth brown---------------------------- private
1195 -- ? -------------------- Vulcanite ---------------------------------- Allegro 2011
1227 -- 2302/24 ------- 1 -- Vulcanite -- burnished ------------------ Bill Parkinson
1233 -- 1276/14 ------- 1 -- Vulcanite -- burnished ------------------ Christian G.(Niko80)
1399 -- 1458 --------------- Vulcanite ---------------------------------- private in Russia
489 --- ? --------------- 1 -- smooth black ----------------------------- DVD Technik
491 --- 491 ------------ 1 -- smooth black ----------------------------- private in Russia
508 --- ?/508 ---------- 1 -- smooth black ----------------------------- private in Russia
575 --- 1190/68 ------------ smooth black ----------------------------- private
600 --- 600 ----------------- Vulcanite ---------------------------------- private in Russia
608 --- ? -------------------- smooth black -----------------------------
689 --- ? -------------------- Vulcanite ---------------------------------- private
698 --- ? -------------------- Vulcanite ---------------------------------- private
793 --- ? --------------- 1 -- pigskin ------------------------------------ private
911 --- ?/934/911 ----- 1 -- smooth black ---------------------------- Alexey Nikitin
927 --- 1050/927 ------ 1 -- Vulcanite --------------------------------- Alexey Nikitin
968 --- 1026/47/968 -- 1 -- smooth brown---------------------------- private
1195 -- ? -------------------- Vulcanite ---------------------------------- Allegro 2011
1227 -- 2302/24 ------- 1 -- Vulcanite -- burnished ------------------ Bill Parkinson
1233 -- 1276/14 ------- 1 -- Vulcanite -- burnished ------------------ Christian G.(Niko80)
1399 -- 1458 --------------- Vulcanite ---------------------------------- private in Russia
1433 -- no lens ------------- Vulcanite -- burnished -- lost parts ---- ebay 2016 link
1511 -- ? --------------- 1 -- Vulcanite --------------------------------- Aidas
1765 -- 1827 --------------- Vulcanite ---------------------------------- private
2029 -- ? --------------- 1 -- Vulcanite -- burnished ------------------ ebay
1765 -- 1827 --------------- Vulcanite ---------------------------------- private
2029 -- ? --------------- 1 -- Vulcanite -- burnished ------------------ ebay
2191 -- 2261 ----------- 1 -- Vulcanite -- burnished ------------------ Lenny
2313 -- 18266 -------- 1/2 - Vulcanite -- burnished ------------------ Bill Parkinson
2869 -- ? --------------- 1 -- Vulcanite -- burnished ------------------ net
3227 -- 2095 ----------- 1 -- Vulcanite -- burnished ------------------ David Tomlinson
3618 -- ? --------------- 1 -- Vulcanite --------------------------------- 1200 cameras
2869 -- ? --------------- 1 -- Vulcanite -- burnished ------------------ net
3227 -- 2095 ----------- 1 -- Vulcanite -- burnished ------------------ David Tomlinson
3618 -- ? --------------- 1 -- Vulcanite --------------------------------- 1200 cameras
3642 -- 4447 ----------- 1 -- fine-Vulc -- burnished ------------------ sold 2008
3662 -- ? --------------- 1 -- Vulcanite -- chromed ------------------- ebay
4141 -- ? --------------- 1 -- Vulcanite -- burnished ------------------ A.Zilbert
4304 -- 6744 --------- 1/2 - Vulcanite -- burnished ------------------- Alexander K.
4141 -- ? --------------- 1 -- Vulcanite -- burnished ------------------ A.Zilbert
4304 -- 6744 --------- 1/2 - Vulcanite -- burnished ------------------- Alexander K.
4426 -- 4725 ------------------------------------------------------------- Westlicht auction#5 lot#220
4642 -- Fed/Elmar ---------- Vulcanite -- chromed -------------------- Jacques M.
4643 -- ? ---------------- 1 -- Vulcanite --------------------------------- Aidas
4700 -- ? -------------------- Vulcanite ---------------------------------- Знание и Труд 1936 #4
5167 -- ? --------------- 1 -- Vulcanite -- partly chromed ------------- private in Russia
5323 -- 5165 ---------------- Vulcanite -- burnished ------------------ Lens werks
5330 -- 4534/75 ------------ Vulcanite -- burnished ------------------- Jacques M.
4643 -- ? ---------------- 1 -- Vulcanite --------------------------------- Aidas
4700 -- ? -------------------- Vulcanite ---------------------------------- Знание и Труд 1936 #4
5167 -- ? --------------- 1 -- Vulcanite -- partly chromed ------------- private in Russia
5323 -- 5165 ---------------- Vulcanite -- burnished ------------------ Lens werks
5330 -- 4534/75 ------------ Vulcanite -- burnished ------------------- Jacques M.
5340 -- 5507 --------------------------------------------------------------
5431 -- 6107/K98 ---------- Vulcanite -- burnished, Leica engraved - Jacques M.
5440 -- 6049/22 ------- 1-- Vulcanite ----------------------------------- Alexey Nikitin
5461 -- 5681 --------------- Vulcanite --- burnished ------------------- net
5585 -- 5583 ----------- 1 -- Vulcanite -- burnished ------------------- Bill Parkinson
5682 -- ? --------------- 1 -- Vulcanite ---------------------------------- Massimo Bertacchi
5890 -- ? -------------- 1/2 - Vulcanite -- chromed -------------------- Juhani
5899 -- ? -------------- 1/2 - Vulcanite -- chromed -------------------- U.Witte
5440 -- 6049/22 ------- 1-- Vulcanite ----------------------------------- Alexey Nikitin
5461 -- 5681 --------------- Vulcanite --- burnished ------------------- net
5585 -- 5583 ----------- 1 -- Vulcanite -- burnished ------------------- Bill Parkinson
5682 -- ? --------------- 1 -- Vulcanite ---------------------------------- Massimo Bertacchi
5890 -- ? -------------- 1/2 - Vulcanite -- chromed -------------------- Juhani
5899 -- ? -------------- 1/2 - Vulcanite -- chromed -------------------- U.Witte
Links:
_______________________________________________________________________________________