Leica IIIc

• Code names pre-war: LOOGI = LOOHW + ELMAR, LOODU = LOOHW + SOORE, LOOSB = LOOHW + XEMOO; post-war: LOOPN = LOOHW + ELMAR, LOOKX = LOOHW + SOORE, LOOIT = LOOHW + SOOIA per Farines List Note: LOOHW is the code name for the Leica IIIf body as well as IIIc depending on the date of the catalog: Leica IIIc < 1951 > Leica IIIf. As a further complication, LOOHW was also used for "30x slip-on magnifier for focusing stage" in the Leica 1984 Accessory Guide.
• Production era - 1940-1951; 133,626 cameras
• Evolution - Body was diecast and the top plate and rangefinder cover are in one piece making the camera 1/8" wider than previous versions
• Variants - Postwar version without the small step under the A-R lever; some postwar cameras were fitted with a rougher vulcanite body covering, referred to as "Sharkskin" (SH); German Army Wehrmacht Heer W.H. engraved cameras (WH), the first post-war group has inferior chrome plating; some are in black paint
• Body - aluminum with chrome plated brass top plate, base plate and knobs
• Size L x W x H - 136 x 39 x 65 mm / 5.35 x 1.54 x 2.60 in
• Brochures
  • 1949 (in German)
• Forum discussion
  • [1] [2]
  • [3]
  • in use
  • JCB's a little...IIIc
• Reviews
  • Camerapedia IIIc
  • British Intelligence

Leica IIIc Serial Numbers

Serial numbers compiled from Puts Pocket Pod
.* and data from Pacific Rim Camera
^ Cameras 367008, 367033, 367093 & 367108 are Leica IIId

SN Start	SN End	Product	Year	Batch
360101	367000	Leica IIIc	1940	6900
367001	^367325	Leica IIIc ^(assumed IIId)	1941-1944	(326)^
367001	397608*	Leica IIIc (WH)	1941-1946	30608
400001*	440000	Leica IIIc	1946-1947	40000
450000	450000	Leica IIIc	1949	1
460001	520000	Leica IIIc (SH)	1951	60000
524001	525000	Leica IIIc	1950-1951	1000
TOTAL	ASSIGNED	SERIAL NUMBERS	1940-1951	131,609