Leica II Black Lacquer 1932 #99584 + Elmar 50mm – Brassing – Original Case – Japan Welcome

LEICA II (Model D) – BLACK LACQUER / NICKEL – Serial #99584 (1932)
First year of production — authentic brass showing — complete with original leather case.

BODY — Leica II / Serial #99584 (1932) 

Condition: Good / Collector
First production year of the Leica II — the first Leica ever fitted with a built-in
coupled rangefinder. A landmark in the history of photography.

SHUTTER
- Fires at all speeds — mechanically responsive.
- No CLA performed — sold as-is, as found.
- Speeds not precision-tested — buyer should factor in a CLA for critical use.

RANGEFINDER
- Coupled rangefinder — the defining feature of the Leica II (1932).
- Slight yellow tint on rangefinder patch — classic aging, typical of 90+ year old glass.
- Rangefinder patch visible and functional.
- Important: rangefinder alignment is off. Focus by scale / zone focusing recommended.
  The camera is fully usable with hyperfocal or zone focus technique.

COSMETIC — THE STAR OF THIS LISTING
- Black lacquer finish — first production year (chrome did not arrive until 1933).
- Nickel fittings with natural golden patina — characteristic of early 1932 series.
- Beautiful, authentic brass showing (brassing) on high-wear areas.
  This is genuine 90+ years of natural wear — not polished, not faked.
  On a 1932 Leica, brassing of this quality is a collector's proof of authenticity.
- Vulcanite: black, good condition.
- Small black body cap present.

LENS — Leitz Elmar 5cm f/3.5 

Condition: Good+

- Optics: Clean glass. No fungus, no scratches.
- Focus: Functional, smooth.
- Aperture: Functional.
- The Elmar 5cm f/3.5 is the correct, period-matched lens for this body.
  Body and lens are from the same era — a coherent, authentic 1932 set.

ACCESSORIES

- Original leather ever-ready case — period correct, good condition.
- Black lens cap.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT 

The Leica II (Model D) was introduced in 1932 as the first Leica with a built-in
coupled rangefinder — a revolution that transformed photojournalism forever.

Serial #99584 places this camera in the first year of production,
among the earliest Leica II bodies ever assembled at Wetzlar.

Only 36,936 black lacquer Leica II cameras were produced across the entire
production run (1932–1948). Black models are consistently valued at twice
the price of chrome examples by serious collectors.

The brass showing on this example is not a defect — it is living history.
Every mark tells the story of a working camera used across nine decades.

HONEST CONDITION SUMMARY 

Shutter:      Fires at all speeds / not precision-tested / no CLA
Rangefinder:  Coupled / slight yellow tint / alignment off
Lens:         Clean glass / functional
Cosmetic:     Beautiful authentic brassing / black lacquer / nickel patina
Case:         Original leather, good condition

This camera is sold honestly, as found. No surprises.
Ideal for: collectors, display, zone-focus street photography, CLA project.
Not recommended for: critical rangefinder-dependent photography without prior CLA.

SHIPPING 

Ships from Paris, France.
Japan Welcome — carefully packed, fully insured, tracked international shipping.
Combined shipping available.

Any questions welcome. Additional photos available on request.
Serious collectors only — please read condition notes carefully before purchasing.