ROCKLEIGH MEMORIES
My employment with E.Leitz, Inc. Rockleigh, New Jersey began in February 1971. Has it really been more than 50 years since I joined the Leica Technical Department? Between 1971-1975 I dealt with most facets of the Leica System on a daily basis. Cameras, lenses, and accessories. In many instances it was an initial meeting. Allow me to recall a few of these encounters.
It was during a sunny Summer day when a customer arrived with an extraordinary assemblage. A Luftwaffen-Eigentum grey IIIcK coupled to a grey MOOLY-C motor. (#1) I was aware of the black or chrome motif but the grey finish was new to me. Out came my Leicaflex SL to document this rarity. Another first encounter centered on a well worn black 8.5cm Summarex. (#2) The lens carried a tiny engraving reading Red Richards which I surmised to be the name of a previous owner. This lens survives today cherished by an LHSA member.
How about a 1940 Leica IIIb with MOOLY and beautifully crafted leather case? (#4) Again I went to the SL. No time for proper photos but quick snapshots were better than nothing. Highly trained service department technicians would regularly summon me with “ Jim, we have something here you should see”. I went immediately. There it was on the workbench. An absolutely battered black M3 with unusual engraving M3-1053*. (#3) Years later I realized this was a prototype MP prepared for evaluation by prominent photojournalists. Then a 1930 rim set Leica B so worn you could not read the entire serial number. (#5) Leica IIIc 386101 converted to a IIIf. (#6) Future research indicated original shipment to Japanese occupied Shanghai in 1942. An early KE-7A with 5cm ELCAN 276-001 for in-house evaluation. (#7) Null series M5 1287002 being shown to the M specialists. (#8) They were seeing the new M5 for the first time. I watched and listened from the appropriate distance and distinctly remember uttering "My God, what has Wetzlar done to my M3".
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