Leitz Rundbildkamera E2 W.H. Set

Leica IIIcK gray „W.H.“ No. 391517K - fiducial points in film gate still present, „K“ on curtain - camera delivered to Berlin on December 05th 1944 with shipment number 9774. Leitz Hektor 13,5 cm f/4.5 HEFAR gray No. 538803 - gray cap - lens delivered to Berlin in September 04th 1944 with shipment number 9778. Leitz VIOOH-style gray reversed 13,5 cm finder engraved „W.H.“ Leitz gray camera cradle for holding Leica IIIc with 13,5 cm lens on top of the aiming circle tripod head - with gray screws and quick release. Leitz WWII ash wood tripod in green, marked with „Ernst Leitz Wetzlar“ condenser logo, complete with aiming circle head No. 378900 in green. Tripod and aiming circle were designed and produced for the trench periscope „S.F.14“ during WWII, by various manufacturers. The Leitz tripod is exceedingly rare and Leitz was the only manufacturer, who adapted these parts also to a photo camera outfit, used by some special photographic divisions of the german troops during the war. To my research, only about 60 units of each the gray HEFAR lens, finder and camera cradle were originally produced for the German army. Whereas of the Leica IIIcK gray „W.H.“ camera itself about 275 units have been produced (in total), which were mostly used just with the 5 cm Elmar. The Rundbildkamera E2 is one of the most elusive Leica outfits from WWII, compareably rare like the Leica 250 with electric motordrive or the wartime Stereo outfit. Only a handful of the complete Rundbildkamera E2 outfits are known to exist in collections today. For further information about the „Rundbildkamera E2“ outfit please refer to: James L. Lager, „Leica, an illustrated History“, Vol. I (Cameras), pages 90-91. James L. Lager, Vol. II (Lenses), page 102. James L. Lager, Vol. III (Accessories), page 48. Lars Netopil „Rare Leica“, pages 141, 143, 154-155.