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LOT 1375
- This historic electromechanical cipher machine is the legendary Enigma I
utilized by the Wehrmacht during World War II. This model was developed
in 1927-1929 by Chriffriermashinen AG in Berlin for use by the Wehrmacht
and was adopted in 1930. The exact number manufactured is unclear. Dr.
Mark Baldwin estimates around 37,000 might have been made. Estimates
of how many are extant today also vary, typically between only 250 to 350.
Dr. Mark Baldwin has recorded 318 of which 284 were machines used in
or before World War II and just 186 are this three-rotor version used by the
Heer and Luftwaffe.
This example was manufactured in 1944 by Heimsoeth & Rinke. The
machine is housed in an oak wood case with a leather handle on the
back side, two war seals on the front, ten spare bulbs, two spare patch
cables, and white instructions label inside the lid; and “Klappe/schliessen”
and “ENIGMA” marked on the folding front flap. The serial number plate
is marked with a large “A” over “18499/jla/44”, and the body is marked
with the matching serial number “18499” under the rotors. The reflector
is marked “B” on top and “A12003” and “WaA618” are on the side. The
QWERTZ keyboard has white letters while the lamp-board has the
removable green tinted filter pane.
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