Shutter curtain on Leica Barnack - is this a concern ?

[Hassasin]

Looking around listings for Barnacks (instantly loved IIIc so am looking to expand), and I see a few of these kind of photos:

Is this something to be concerned about? This from a reputable seller and it is in fine working condition (I do trust this one).

 

[Nitroplait]

Shutter curtains should always be a concern in old barnacks. These have not been replaced for a while. Ask if it has been tested with film.

 

[Don_ih]

Shutter curtains that look like that can be working fine - and stay working fine for quite some time. Or they can develop a crack or pinholes or the ribbon can let go. The fact is, old material can fail at any time.

That one looks average.

 

[davela]

Your curtains are dry and may have pin hole light leaks (rather common with old curtains). As Nitroplait noted above, a film test is required to ascertain this yourself, although camera techs can tell too. Curtain replacement is done commonly when old Barnacks are serviced. It's generally preferable to buy a Leica with newer curtains and a recent CLA as replacing them is expensive.

 

[Hassasin]

Thanks for the feedback. I don't think things are as simple as some state though. I have a Barnack from 1947. Given where it came from I don't believe curtains were ever replaced, yet look like new. It is probably a lot related to storage, environmental conditions throughout its life etc. BUt surely the ones shown in photo looked suspicious to me and I gave up chasing that particular one, and now ask for good photo of curtains before purchase.

 

[Nitroplait]

.. now ask for good photo of curtains before purchase.

Unfortunately that will not tell the whole story about the state of the curtains.
Only a film test will reveal if there are leaks or holes.
If you hope to buy a working Barnack Leica, I would make sure a seller verifies the state of the camera based on a film test on all exposure setting and have a reasonable return option.
Barnack's are repairable, but if you expect and pay for a functioning camera you need to perform due diligence.

I have not succeeded in buying a Barnack camera (I own 6 at the moment) that didn't need service of some sort, but I have always factored the service cost into my purchase price.

The curtains in the photo of the original post could well be light tight, just like I have seen Barnacks where the curtains looked perfect but actually had pin-holes.

You are correct that even very old curtains may still be in serviceable state.

I currently have a Leica I (A) from 1930 in for service due to shutter accuracy issues, but the original curtains are still light tight (although I'll let the tech decide if the curtains should be replaced after he has opened it).

Another one (a IIf) which is currently also being serviced, had a curtain that looked a little curly in one corner like the one in post #1 but was completely perforated as you can see below. I wouldn't have known without a film test.

 

[Hassasin]

@Nitroplait Thanks, very helpful.