SHOWA OPTICAL WORKS, Japan

Details

SHOWA OPTICAL WORKS, Japan
A 35mm. NRIII camera no. 1029 the top-plate engraved Made in Occupied Japan, the baseplate interior stamped 1029 and exterior engraved Made in Occupied Japan and with a Tokyo Optical Co. Simlar f/3.5 50mm. lens.

Literature

HPR (1993), Leica Copies, p. XXX.
Sugiyama et.al (1985), The Collectors Guide to Japanese Cameras, p. 204, no. 3563.

Lot Essay

According to Sugiyama et.al this camera was the same as the Leotax DIII. It was produced for the United States military for use in news reporting during the Korean War. Approximately fifty examples were made c. 1949. HPR quotes a serial number range for the cameras of 1003-1056.

More from Fine and Rare Cameras

View All