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120215 Leica Eveready Case for %u20ac800*M3/M1 olive Bundeseigentum 1960s, condition B %u20ac 1.600 %u2013 1.800A very rare original olive-green ever-ready case for the M3 and M1 cameras made for the German Army, in good%u00a0condition, stamped on the back %u2018Bundeseigentum%u2019.216 Leica Outfit Case for M3/M1 %u20ac1.000*olive Bundeseigentum 1960s, condition B/A %u20ac 2.000 %u2013 2.400A very rare olive-green outfit%u00a0case for the M3 and M1 cameras made for the German Army, in very good condition, stamped with %u2018Bundeseigentum%u2019 on the back.217 Summicron 2/35 mm 11309 %u20ac6.000*Thorium for US Military no. 2619090, 1973, condition B/A %u20ac 12.000 %u2013 14.000As early as 1952/53, Leica began developing advanced optical coatings and special glass formulations, including elements enriched with thorium oxide (ThO2). This so-called thorium glass offered excellent optical properties, such as a high refractive index and low dispersion, but also exhibits slight natural radioactivity. By the late 1960s and early 1970s, the use and manufacture of thorium-containing glass were completely discontinued in Germany and much of Europe due to new regulations. From that point onward, the production of optical glass containing thorium oxide was no longer permitted, affecting not only photographic optics but also other precision industries. In 1972/73, in connection with the later-legendary KE-7A project, Leica received a request from the U.S. Government to develop a special lens incorporating thorium glass. As such production was already prohibited in Germany, even for special commissions, the development and manufacture were transferred to Ernst Leitz Canada (ELCAN). Although the project never entered series production, several fully functional prototype lenses were produced for testing and evaluation. One of theseextremely rare prototypes is offered in the present auction. Preserved in very good original condition, the lens shows the characteristic slight yellowing associated with thorium glass. An exceptionally rare and historically significant Leica prototype, representing a unique military and governmental special development and an important collector%u2019s item.218 Elcan-R 3.4/180 mm %u20ac2.000*no. 303-0052, 1965, condition B/A %u20ac 4.000 %u2013 5.000Very rare Elcan lens designed by famous Dr. Walter Mandler and only produced for the US Army, less than 50 lenses made, invery good condition, optics showing some small spots of corrosion and a few cleaning marks, including%u00a0both caps.219 Leitz Ball and Wire Finder 5 cm %u20ac4.000*German Luftwaffe 1940s, condition B/A %u20ac 8.000 %u2013 9.000A very rare 5 cm ball-and-wire finder made for the German Luftwaffe during WWII. Preserved in excellent condition. A comparable example is illustrated in Lager Vol. III, p. 49 (Leitz Museum collection). Difficult to find in this%u00a0good condition.220 Visoflex II German Military %u20ac800*no. 79022273, 1960s, condition B+ %u20ac 1.600 %u2013 1.800An interesting and rare Visoflex II, owned and used by the German military. With military inventory sticker on the back: %u2018ErpSt.71 d.Bw%u2019 %u2014 meaning %u2018Erprobungsstelle 71 der Bundeswehr%u2019%u00a0(Test / Evaluation Center 71 of the German Armed Forces). In good condition, including two finders.