1954 - Leica M3 - 700

這台徠卡 M3，序號 700740，首批 10,000 台（700001 - 710000）。作為徠卡生產的第 740 台 M3，它誕生於一個關鍵的歷史轉折點，當時徠卡放棄了螺口系統，轉而採用卡口和高倍率取景器。這些超早期的「700系列」M3相機通常具有設計原型特徵，包括快門桿、倒片機構和內部膠片壓板設計的獨特變化，這些變化使它們與所有後續生產型號區分開來。

THIS LEICA M3, SERIAL NUMBER 700740, FALLS WITHIN THE PRESTIGIOUS FIRST BATCH OF 10,000 UNITS (700001 - 710000). AS THE 740TH M3 EVER PRODUCED, IT WAS MANUFACTURED AT THE PIVOTAL HISTORICAL JUNCTURE WHEN LEICA ABANDONED THE SCREW-MOUNT SYSTEM IN FAVOR OF THE BAYONET MOUNT AND HIGH-MAGNIFICATION VIEWFINDER. THESE ULTRA-EARLY "700-SERIES" M3S OFTEN EXHIBIT DESIGN PROTOTYPE CHARACTERISTICS, INCLUDING UNIQUE VARIATIONS IN THE SHUTTER LEVER, REWIND MECHANISM, AND INTERNAL FILM PRESSURE PLATE DESIGN THAT DISTINGUISH THEM FROM ALL SUBSEQUENT PRODUCTION MODELS.