News-Antique.com - Feb 27,2013 - An original Enigma Machine box from a German Navy [Kriegsmarine] Enigma - Machine M4 will be sold at PFC Auctions (Guernsey) online sale on Thursday 28 February.
This particular variant of enigma machine was introduced into the North Atlantic U-boat fleet 1 February 1942 and was later used by most first-line German naval units.
The internal ID plate - M18814 - indicates the Enigma machine that the box once contained was made in 1945 with the serial number almost certainly that of M18814/aye/45 manufactured in Erfurt, Germany by Olympia in 1945.
Auctioneer Adrian Roose commented "With the record price for an actual enigma machine standing at £131,180, the next best thing, an original box, is proving to be very popular with collectors."
Bidding on the enigma machine box started at £100 and currently stands at £903 (approximately $1,350).
Following a Bletchley Park theme the online auction also features (Lot 26) one of only 5 known signed photographs of James Bond creator Ian Fleming. Measuring approximately 3½” x 4½” the photograph is expected to sell for up to $5,000. Fleming was a regular visitor to Bletchley Park during his counter espionage career.
The auction closes 28 February at 7pm (GMT) 2pm (EST)
