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Fialka Toolkit
According to the checklist that came with each M-125 Fialka, the machine was supplied with a small toolkit that was used for daily maintenance and small repairs. It contained tools to open and adjust the machine, replace springs, remove paper remains from a blocked machine etc.

The image on the right shows a typical toolkit as it was supplied with one of the Fialka machines in our collection. It is a small canvas wallet in army green colour that can be unfolded to reveal the tools. When folded and closed, the wallet measures approx. 10 x 15 cm and can easily be carried in the pocket of a soldier's uniform.

The wallet consists of two halves, each of which is divided into pockets. Each pocket contains a single tool. The wallet was supplied with a wide variety of tools, such as screwdrivers, wrenches, pins, hooks, blades, tweezers, brackets, etc.
  

Some of the tools and brackets were made especially for the Fialka and were used to assist when aligning or adjusting the machine. There is, for example, a purpose-built bracket that was used for altering the width of the paper tape guide (behind the ink ribbon) when using the narrower (10 mm) paper tape instead of ordinary telex tape. Some of the tools that were originally supplied with the wallet may be missing from the item shown here. Toolkits of this type are very rare.

Closed Fialka toolkit
Unlocked toolkit
Opening the toolkit
Unfolded toolkit
Partly unfolded toolkit
Top view of the Fialka toolkit
Contents of the toolkit
Contents of the toolkit
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Closed Fialka toolkit
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Unlocked toolkit
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Opening the toolkit
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Unfolded toolkit
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Partly unfolded toolkit
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Top view of the Fialka toolkit
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Contents of the toolkit
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Contents of the toolkit


The image below shows the unfolded canvas wallet with several items stored in its pockets. As the left are three different wrenches, a small screwdriver, a pin and a hardened steel set of hooks. The latter were used for replacing a broken or temporarily removed spring. One side of the hook is used for pushing whilst the other side is for pulling springs. The pin is for removing paper.


The right half contains a couple of screwdrivers, pins and a variety of of 'specials'. There is a flexible metal spring blade that can be used to remove paper remains from the paper guides and a tool to adjust the paper guide behind the ink ribbon. The exact purpose of most of the specials is currently unknown. If you know more about their use, place contact us.

Oil can
Especially for oiling the moving parts of the machine, such as the axles, the bearings and the rotor spindle, a small oil can was supplied separately from the toolkit. It contained thin machine oil, similar to the oil used for a car.

The image on the right shows one of the very few Fialka oilers that have survived. It was rediscovered in 2007 in a former Fialka repair center in Czechoslovakia and has since been donated to Crypto Museum.
  

Spares kit
In addition to the toolkit, the Fialka was also supplied with a small wooden box with spare parts and accessories, or in Russian: Запасные части И Принадлежности, or ЗИП (Latin: ZIP).

The spares kit contains mechanical, electrical and electronic parts, a tape moisturizer, a spare axle, retaining clips and much more.

 More information
  

Fialka oil can
Fialka oil can nozzle
Fialka oil can reservoir
Fialka spares box (ZIP)
Fialka ZIP box with the lid taken off
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Fialka oil can
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Fialka oil can nozzle
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Fialka oil can reservoir
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Fialka spares box (ZIP)
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Fialka ZIP box with the lid taken off

Further information
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© Crypto Museum. Created: Tuesday 15 July 2014. Last changed: Thursday, 07 January 2021 - 10:09 CET.
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