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Nicca Tower Type 3-S

The Nicca Tower Type 3-S is a 35mm rangefinder camera sold in the United States under the Sears Tower label, rebadged from a Nicca-built Leica-screw-mount body. It was positioned as a more affordable alternative to German rangefinders of the same era.

At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Tower Type 3-S have ranged from around £220 to £370, with only a small number of results on record. A 2021 saleroom result of £372 sits at the top of that range, while an earlier 2004 hammer of £215 anchors the lower end, so what a Tower Type 3-S is worth today depends heavily on condition and completeness of the outfit.

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Sales History

Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.

Date Price Source
Dec 2024 £100 Flints Auctions
Nov 2021 £322 Flints Auctions
Apr 2021 £372 Flints Auctions
Nov 2004 £215 Christie's

Frequently asked questions

What is a Nicca Tower Type 3-S worth?

Based on the limited UK auction record, clean examples have sold for roughly £220 to £370 at the hammer, so the value today sits broadly in that range depending on cosmetic and mechanical condition.

How much does a Tower Type 3-S sell for at auction?

Recorded UK hammer prices include £215 in 2004 and £372 in 2021, which gives a working guide to what the camera sells for when it appears in the saleroom.

Is the Tower Type 3-S the same as a Nicca rangefinder?

Yes — the Tower Type 3-S is a Nicca-built 35mm rangefinder sold under the Sears Tower name in the US market, so its price at UK auction tracks the wider Nicca screw-mount body market.

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