This is a complete, museum-quality WWII German Enigma machine in excellent working condition. This model Enigma machine was the primary cipher machine for the German military from 1932 through 1945.
The serial number of this Enigma machine is A00673. The ID tag located at the center front of the keyboard reads “A00673/bac/44E”. This serial number indicates that this machine was made by Ertel-Werk in Munich in 1943. This Enigma machine was used by the German military from 1943 through to the end of the war in May of 1945.
This Enigma machine is housed in a metal armored transport case known as a Panzerholz transport case. Ertel-Werk is known to have manufactured Enigma machines with the Panzerholz transport case for use by the Luftwaffe (German Air Force during WWII). This machine was likely used by the Luftwaffe during WWII. Relatively few Panzerholz Enigma machines were produced and and complete examples, such as this machine, are rare.
Although this machine was used by the German military during WWII, it escaped any major damage and appears to have been stored in a dry environment since the end of the war. The three rotors are in very good condition. All of the internal wiring of the Enigma as well as the wiring of the rotors and reflector have been checked and verified to work just as the machine would have upon issue to the German military in 1943. The machine and the Panzerholz transport case are in excellent condition and show wear characteristic of machines that were in use during the war (see the photographs below). The transport box appears to be original to the machine and the few other known examples of Panzerholz Enigmas have serial numbers very close to A00673. Few surviving examples of Enigma Panzerholz transport cases are complete. This transport case is complete with original “Zur Beachtung” instruction sheet, extra bulb and extra Stecker cable storage area, and metal plugboard plate.
Although it is more than 75 years old, this Enigma machine is an excellent, museum-quality example of a 3-rotor Army Enigma (a.k.a. “Heeres Enigma”, or “Enigma I”). To allow the buyer to use the Enigma, a battery holder that accepts standard flashlight batteries is included as are two copies of original Enigma operating manuals, an original WWII Germany military telegraph key, and a signed copy of Dr. Thomas Perera’s book Inside Enigma.
Condition: Enigma A00673 is in very fine condition. It shows minimal signs of rust or corrosion. It was likely stored in a dry, clean environment. As mentioned above, the Panzerholz transport case is original and complete. Upon purchase, the machine was missing the green contrast screen that would have been present upon issue to the Luftwaffe in 1943. An exact replica green contrast screen has been placed in the Panzeholz case to complete the original appearance of the machine. Any missing or nonfunctional light bulbs have been replaced with exact replica Enigma light bulbs. This Enigma is accompanied with three rotors (I, II, and III). All three rotors carry the serial number A00673. The reflector also carries the serial number A00673. It is rare for the reflector and rotors to be original to the machine as they often were swapped between machines during the war or afterwards by collectors seeking to restore machines to working condition.
Allied code breakers, including Alan Turing, developed the world’s first computers to break German secret codes. Successful Allied code-breaking efforts against the Enigma cipher machine, first by the Poles and later by the British and Americans, shortened the war by as much as two years, saving thousands of lives and denying Germany the time needed to develop an atomic bomb.
Enigma machines are extremely rare. Fewer than one percent of Enigma machines survived the end of WWII. German officers had orders to destroy them rather than let them be captured at the end of the war. The Germans had no idea that the Allies had broken the Enigma codes and felt they had to keep their secret code machines from the enemy. German soldiers would smash them with rifle butts, kick them, throw them into lakes, and even explode hand grenades inside them when their positions were about to surrender or be overrun by advancing Allied forces.
Approximately 290 3-rotor Enigma I machines survived the war, and most of these are held by museums and government agencies. Few of these rare machines are available to private collectors.
This Enigma machine is being offered for sale from the personal collection of Dr. Thomas Perera. It is located in the United States.
This is a very fine working example of one of the most important pieces of WWII and computer history.
FOR PRICE AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Dan or Tom Perera / tom2@enigmamuseum.com
Not finding what you are looking for?
Check our For Sale page for other antique cipher equipment or contact us directly.
Click photos to view larger images.
SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT PRICES:
Original German Enigma machines like this one are extremely rare and hard to find because most of the Enigmas were destroyed during or at the end of the war. Since they are so rare and historic, the prices paid in several recent sales of Enigmas have been widely publicized and consequently, the values of Enigmas have increased dramatically. In 2021, a 3-rotor German Army WWII Enigma sold at open auction by Sotheby’s for $ 440,000 US Dollars with buyer’s premium. All of the Enigma machines sold on this website are complete and in working condition although, since the Germans used brass electrical contacts instead of gold, silver, or platinum, perfect operation on every key-press can not be guaranteed.