LEITZ ' 39 SINGLE SPEED MOOLY MOTOR 1780, ARM, . With ' 38 LEICA BROCHURE
Item History & Price
SINGLE-SPEED LEITZ LEICA MOOLY MOTOR #1780, with ARM, about 1938-39.
- Mechanically appears to be in good working order, winds on well, and fires about two times/sec
- The 2-Speed MOOLY is Hove Rarity Grade R6, "VERY RARE"
HISTORYThe MOOLY clockwork motor is one of the classic (and very collectible) Leitz accessories.
It was introduced in 1938, initially for the short base, screw-mount Barnack Leicas (Leica III, IIIa, IIIb). This version won't fit the I...IIc series, which are 1/8" longer.
The first hundred or so MOOLYs were probably test units, so this unit is quite early in the build history. In total, about 5, 700 MOOLYs were built.
War broke out in Europe in September 1939, so the vast majority of MOOLYs were never exported, and many were probably used by the military. No doubt many were lost or destroyed, which is why today they're relatively uncommon.
CONDITION Cosmetically, this 1938-39 MOOLY is in much better condition than many, and seems to have been lightly used. No dings or heavy wear, mainly just light bright marks, and a little chrome wear here and there, on the wind-on knob, and also a touch on the arm itself. All the engraving is in perfect condition.
Wind-on is working, motor sounds good, and the arm and film advance spindle move as they should, advancing what sounds to be about two frames/second. Please note that this unit has not been tested in-camera or with film. For serious use, I would recommend having both the MOOLY and the Leica body CLA-ed and adjusted by an experienced Leica tech.
The October 1938 LEICA BROCHURE (24 pages) is original, and in almost perfect condition, with lots of period photos.
NOTE: This series of MOOLY fits only the pre-IIIc Leica bodies, the Barnack Leicas. (Leica III, IIIa, IIIb).
VALUEIn 2000, Hove valued the single speed MOOLY at $1, 500, with a Rarity Grade of R6 ("Very Rare").
In the Leitz Photographica Auction in Vienna in June this year (formerly the Westlicht Auction), a Leica IIIa with a Summar lens and a single speed MOOLY sold for Euro 1, 600 (U.S. $1, 795), hammer price
I ship internationally via USPS Priority Mail International. Items are declared as "Used Photographic Equipment".
- Mechanically appears to be in good working order, winds on well, and fires about two times/sec
- The 2-Speed MOOLY is Hove Rarity Grade R6, "VERY RARE"
HISTORYThe MOOLY clockwork motor is one of the classic (and very collectible) Leitz accessories.
It was introduced in 1938, initially for the short base, screw-mount Barnack Leicas (Leica III, IIIa, IIIb). This version won't fit the I...IIc series, which are 1/8" longer.
The first hundred or so MOOLYs were probably test units, so this unit is quite early in the build history. In total, about 5, 700 MOOLYs were built.
War broke out in Europe in September 1939, so the vast majority of MOOLYs were never exported, and many were probably used by the military. No doubt many were lost or destroyed, which is why today they're relatively uncommon.
CONDITION Cosmetically, this 1938-39 MOOLY is in much better condition than many, and seems to have been lightly used. No dings or heavy wear, mainly just light bright marks, and a little chrome wear here and there, on the wind-on knob, and also a touch on the arm itself. All the engraving is in perfect condition.
Wind-on is working, motor sounds good, and the arm and film advance spindle move as they should, advancing what sounds to be about two frames/second. Please note that this unit has not been tested in-camera or with film. For serious use, I would recommend having both the MOOLY and the Leica body CLA-ed and adjusted by an experienced Leica tech.
The October 1938 LEICA BROCHURE (24 pages) is original, and in almost perfect condition, with lots of period photos.
NOTE: This series of MOOLY fits only the pre-IIIc Leica bodies, the Barnack Leicas. (Leica III, IIIa, IIIb).
VALUEIn 2000, Hove valued the single speed MOOLY at $1, 500, with a Rarity Grade of R6 ("Very Rare").
In the Leitz Photographica Auction in Vienna in June this year (formerly the Westlicht Auction), a Leica IIIa with a Summar lens and a single speed MOOLY sold for Euro 1, 600 (U.S. $1, 795), hammer price
I ship internationally via USPS Priority Mail International. Items are declared as "Used Photographic Equipment".
