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Numbers-only Enigma
The Enigma Z is a rather strange leaf on the
Enigma Family Tree.
Although it is clearly based on the design of Enigma D,
it has only 10 keys and 10 lamps, each marked with the numbers 0 thru 9.
It was used for the encryption of numerical messages (i.e. messages
that were pre-coded by using, for example, a code book).
The letter Z probably stands for Ziffern (numbers).
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Not much is currently known about this Enigma variant.
It is believed that very few were ever built and that these were sold
to Sweden and Chile.
They were also offered to the Spanish government in November 1931,
but as far as we know, the Spanish did not buy the machine.
It seems that two different versions of the machine were developed,
but this has not been confirmed yet:
- Standard version
Simple stepping mechanism and settable UKW.
- Improved version
Improved cog-wheel driven turnover mechanism, similar to the
Zählwerk Enigma.
Probably also a moving UKW.
More about these two variants in the text below.
Unfortunately, no real photographs of Z30 machines are currently
available to us.
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This machine had 3 coding wheels with 10 contact points and a single
turnover notch each. Furthermore, it had a settable UKW.
The wheel stepping mechanism was similar to that of the Enigma D.
It is likely that serial numbers started at Z101.
It is certain that this machine was built and sold to Sweden
[2]
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In November 1931, the Enigma manufacturer Chiffriermaschinen AG
offered a series of Enigma machines, including the Enigma Z, to the
Spanish Embassy
[1]
. The photographs on the hastily translated brochure,
however, show a machine with an improved cog-wheel driven turnover
mechanism, similar to that of the Zählwerk Enigma.
It has a cog-wheel release lever in the top left, which is not present
on the standard version.
It is uncertain whether this machine was actually built, but the
image in the brochure shows a machine with serial number Z-155
or Z-165 and the wooden lid of that machine is modified to accomodate
the cog-wheel release lever.
It seems therefore likely that this actually was a production machine
and that their serial numbers started at Z-151.
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- Arthuro Quirantes, Model Z: A numbers-only Enigma version
Cryptologia, April 2004.
- Frode Weierud, Enigma History
Forthcoming publication, expected in 2010.
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© Copyright 2009-2013, Paul Reuvers & Marc Simons. Last changed: Tuesday, 17 May 2011 - 10:24 CET
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