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 A14401. This serial number indicates that this machine was made by Heimsoeth and Rinke in Berlin in 1942. This Enigma machine was used by the German military from 1942 through to the end of the war in May of 1945.
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 original 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 1942. The machine and the oak 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 is original to the machine and has an ID tag that reads “14401”. The finish on the oak transport case has been lightly restored to stabilize the wood. The inside of hinged wooden flap on the front of the oak transport case has been refinished and the ink stamp “Klappe Schliessen” has been restored.
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 A14401 is in exceptional condition. It shows no sign of rust or corrosion. It was likely stored in a dry, clean environment. As mentioned above, the wooden box finish was lightly restored and stabilized. The upper portion of the box latch had broken from the box but was present when purchased. The latch has been professionally repaired and is functional. Any missing or nonfunctional light bulbs have been replaced with exact replica Enigma light bulbs to enable the machine to be fully functional. This Enigma includes three rotors (II, III, and V). All rotors carry the serial number A19348. The reflector also carries the serial number A19348. It is not unusual for there to be rotors in an Enigma machine that do not have serial numbers that match that of the machine.
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 nearly all of these are held by museums and government agencies. Very few of these rare machines are available to private collectors.
This Enigma machine was acquired in 2017 and 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 Perera at info@enigmamuseum.com
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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.