Leica 35mm f2 Summicron 8-Element Black Anodized, Red Scale 1744598

This Leica 35mm f2 Summicron 8 Element lens in Black Anodized finish, #1744598, with red focusing scale, is in near mint condition.  This lens is from 1960, making it a likely match to a black paint M2 from the same year.  The focus is smooth and the aperture works well.  The glass is near perfect with no marks or fungus.  There are some very faint internal coating spots in the rear, which can be seen under magnification and do not affect the image.  

The 35mm f2 Summicron was introduced at Photokina 1958.  Black lenses were added to the catalog in 1961.  It is estimated that by the time the next version was introduced in 1969, fewer than 10k lenses were produced in the M2 version, without fitted RF goggles.  Of that, only a tiny batch was in black finish.  This is an early copy that comes with its original matching serial numbered lens bubble