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THE AMERICAN CIPHER MACHINE OF WWII. A Hagelin M-209-B Cipher Machine, American, c. 1945. image 1
THE AMERICAN CIPHER MACHINE OF WWII. A Hagelin M-209-B Cipher Machine, American, c. 1945. image 2
THE AMERICAN CIPHER MACHINE OF WWII. A Hagelin M-209-B Cipher Machine, American, c. 1945. image 3
Lot 30

THE AMERICAN CIPHER MACHINE OF WWII.
A Hagelin M-209-B Cipher Machine, American, c. 1945.

13 – 23 October 2024, 12:00 EDT
Online, New York

US$3,000 - US$5,000

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THE AMERICAN CIPHER MACHINE OF WWII.

A Hagelin M-209-B Cipher Machine, American, c. 1945.
Portable pin-and-lug cipher machine, in olive green crinkle-finish metal casing with operating instruction booklet and tape roll stowed inside cover, approximately 190 x 140 x 100 mm in exterior dimensions, with manufacturer's data plate (serial numbered 88762) and lubrication instruction decal on hinged cover. Some scuffing and spotting to casing, operating manual lacking cover.
Provenance: From the family of an American veteran of World War II, by direct descent.

The M-209 was a highly compact, light (around 6 lbs) and durable rotor cipher machine developed at the beginning of World War II by Boris Hagelin of AB Cryptoteknik in Stockholm. They were manufactured by Smith & Corona Typewriters in Syracuse, New York. During the Second World War, the M-209 was referred to by German forces as the 'American Machine' Number 1, or AM-1. The machine does not require electricity to use and was a conveniently portable device. However, by 1943 it is thought that its coded messages could be broken within four hours.

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