[Leica] How to spot a counterfeit

[Vick Ko <vick.ko@sympatico.ca>]

To the collective wisdom of the LUG-

Are there any sure signs to spot a counterfeit Leica?

I'm comparing the appearance of my IIIg and III (Model F)

e.g.

1)  differences in the "Leica" script
     - the "eica" on the III is larger in comparison to the "L" than on the
IIIg

2) quality of leatherette - much better on the IIIg.
    - the III has gaps between the leather edges and metal
      (worse on the curved edges) and the holes for the screws
      have cuts to the adjacent vertical surfaces.
     - did the leatherette from an 1938 camera shrink?

3)  quality of letters "Ernst Leitz Wetzlar" - not as good on the III

4)  mixed caps and small letter on the III, whereas the IIIG is all
     capital lettering

Thanks