US M-209 Cipher Machines
Pictured below are the Hagelin designed US M-209A and M-209B cipher machines which were used in WW2 by the US to send ciphered messages to and from the battlefield.
The M-209A cipher machine is on the left and was made in 1942 in Philadelphia. It is serial number 214, making it one of the earliest of the 140,000 manufactured during WW2. There are Signal Corps stamps inside the inner lid and on the bottom of the machine. Inside the lid is the decal "Manufactured By L C Smith & Corona Typewriters Inc." The paper tape roll is in the lid. Missing are the tools normally in the lid, one of the 4 rubber feet and the letter counter.
The M209B on the right was made in 1944 in Philadelphia and is serial number 54921. The "CACH" following the serial number is the manufacturers code, which stands for the Smith - Corona Typewriter Co. It is clearly stamped with the orange Signal Corps markings with "SC 987" inside a triangle and a date stamped in red ink of Jun 16 194?. Barely visible is a previous marking of "C-213" then painted in large block lettering is: "HQ & HQ 47th Comm Sect." There are two more Signal Corps stamps, one on the bottom and the other inside the inner lid. The paper tape roll is in the lid as is a pair of tweezers and an aluminum tube holding spare ink rollers, which is stamped "I" on the top. The slotted tip screwdriver and tube for oil is missing.
After first receiving this cipher, I moistened the ink roller with a couple drops of water and you can see the printout on the paper tape. It looks like it is as ready for action as it was over 60 years ago.
Also see the differences between the two models.
The M-209A cipher machine is on the left and was made in 1942 in Philadelphia. It is serial number 214, making it one of the earliest of the 140,000 manufactured during WW2. There are Signal Corps stamps inside the inner lid and on the bottom of the machine. Inside the lid is the decal "Manufactured By L C Smith & Corona Typewriters Inc." The paper tape roll is in the lid. Missing are the tools normally in the lid, one of the 4 rubber feet and the letter counter.
The M209B on the right was made in 1944 in Philadelphia and is serial number 54921. The "CACH" following the serial number is the manufacturers code, which stands for the Smith - Corona Typewriter Co. It is clearly stamped with the orange Signal Corps markings with "SC 987" inside a triangle and a date stamped in red ink of Jun 16 194?. Barely visible is a previous marking of "C-213" then painted in large block lettering is: "HQ & HQ 47th Comm Sect." There are two more Signal Corps stamps, one on the bottom and the other inside the inner lid. The paper tape roll is in the lid as is a pair of tweezers and an aluminum tube holding spare ink rollers, which is stamped "I" on the top. The slotted tip screwdriver and tube for oil is missing.
After first receiving this cipher, I moistened the ink roller with a couple drops of water and you can see the printout on the paper tape. It looks like it is as ready for action as it was over 60 years ago.
Also see the differences between the two models.
