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141280Leica M3 olive Bundeseigentum First Batch Very rare early version olive paint Leica M3 %u2018Bundeswehr%u2019 from the first productionbatch, with long strap lugs and double stroke advance, in good, original condition, showing a beautiful patina, small bubbles appearing in paint, engraved %u2018Bundeseigentum 12-121-5418%u2019 on the rear of the top plate, together with matching Elmar 3.5/5%u2009cm no.%u20091335693 engraved %u2018Bundeseigentum 12-121-5419%u2019(front lens cap) and Leica-Meter MC no.49780 engraved %u2018Bundeseigentum 12-121-5603%u2019 (including a green leather etui for the meter stamped with %u2018Bundeseigentum 12-121-5710). When the West German Army (Bundeswehr) was established after 1955, the Leica M cameras formed a large share of the photographic 35 mm cameras ordered for the troops. Rare versions are the Leica M3, M1 and later M4 models in the olive paint finish. Leica produced less than 300 M3 cameras inthis finish. The offered example comes from the earliest small batch delivered tothe German army in January 1958 and is the 37th olive green M3 made!Start price %u20ac 40.000*est. %u20ac 80.000%u2013 90.000Serial no. 910537Year of production: 1958condition: B+