Nikon S 6114605.

Originally this was a chrome camera body made by Nippon Kogaku 1952/53.

Between 1951 and 1955 Nikon produced more than 36,700 Nikon S rangefinder bodies.

Serial numbers range from about 6094001 to 6129600

They were all made in chrome finish except for a few (estimated around 15) that were commissioned by ‘Life’ magazine for its staff. Some six black cameras have been noted with adequate provenance and fetch extreme prices at auction.

Repainted ‘fakes’ abound with varying quality.

This body has been recently restored with a near mint black repaint, smooth thumbwheel focusing and a clear rangefinder image.

Go back through this album for the full story of the ’Life’ Nikons.

Life magazine, September 21, 1928. inside front cover

(Photo courtesy of LIFE Magazine.)

(Photo courtesy of LIFE Magazine.)

(Photo courtesy of LIFE Magazine.)

(Photo courtesy of LIFE Magazine.)

(Photo courtesy of LIFE Magazine.)

(Photo courtesy of LIFE Magazine.)

(Photo courtesy of LIFE Magazine.)

Special Double Issue - The Magic of the Movies. Natalie Wood and a plethora of popular actors and actresses of the time.

(Photo courtesy of LIFE Magazine.)

The Poems and Dramas of Lord Byron: New York: Arundel, 1879

(Photo courtesy of LIFE Magazine.)

(Photo courtesy of LIFE Magazine.)

(Photo courtesy of LIFE Magazine.)

(Photo courtesy of LIFE Magazine.)

(Photo courtesy of LIFE Magazine.)

(Photo courtesy of LIFE Magazine.)

(Photo courtesy of LIFE Magazine.)

(Photo courtesy of LIFE Magazine.)

(Photo courtesy of LIFE Magazine.)

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Sad day

(Photo courtesy of LIFE Magazine.)

(Photo courtesy of LIFE Magazine.)

(Photo courtesy of LIFE Magazine.)

(Photo courtesy of LIFE Magazine.)

Fort Peck postmark from 1/25/1999. One stamp pictures the cover of the first issue of Life Magazine; it featured a photo of the nearby Fort Peck Dam.

Life magazine, July 5, 1928. inside front cover

Be cool in your new Ford.

Ad ran in the 6/15/59 issue.

Life Magazine 11-17-1958

RIP 1968,

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Studebaker

(Photo courtesy of LIFE Magazine.)

(Photo courtesy of LIFE Magazine.)

(Photo courtesy of LIFE Magazine.)