the mysterious S-ENIGMA

The Special Edition Enigma from 1943 by Heimsoeth & Rinke

Espionage

The Enigma machine was a mysterious and brilliantly engineered device used by Germany during World War II. Beneath its simple keyboard lay a hidden world of spinning rotors and shifting connections, turning every message into an ever-changing puzzle. No code was ever the same twice, making it seem almost impossible to break—a secret language that only the machine itself could understand.

Its genius made it one of the most powerful tools of the war, guarding plans that could decide the fate of nations. Yet, in a twist that feels almost unbelievable, minds like Alan Turing managed to uncover its secrets. Breaking Enigma didn’t just solve a code — it changed history, helping to end the war sooner and saving millions of lives.

A vintage German Enigma cipher machine with a wooden case and a European QWERTZ keyboard, resting on a wooden surface.

About this Machine

This Enigma I was recovered shortly after World War 2 near a lake in south Germany, and was only exposed to water for a short period of time, which made it a perfect restoration base with almost all original parts still present. The all documented restoration took over 4 years, and made this Machine one of the most original and complete Enigmas worldwide. With the help of 3 experts this artifact is now in pristine condition.

The Serial Number A 17121 S /jla/ 43 shows, that it was manufactured in 1943 by Heimsoeth & Rinke in Berlin.

Three WWII German soldiers in a wooden communication hut operating an original enigma, with a map on the wall behind them.
Enigma

But there is one feature in the serial number which stands out compared to all other documented Enigmas: The letter 'S'. After going through many documents, archives, declassified Top Secret records of the NSA it becomes clear, this is a Special Edition Enigma. When the NSA went to the Manufacturers after the end of WW2, they listed all confiscated Enigmas and their features. They noted that out of all machines, they found only one S-Enigma. Together with one S-Enigma listed in the registry, it makes this machine the third S-Enigma known worldwide.

After investigation of a leading Expert, we could proof that the rotors, as well as the reflector have special wiring for extra security.

There are rumors that these machines could have been used near the Fuehrer or other important leading Wehrmacht commanders. We have not found direct proof supporting this thesis.

Enigma

RESTORATION DOCUMENTATION

Condition before restoration:

An old, enigma machine before restoration.
An old, enigma machine before restoration.
An old, enigma machine before restoration.
An old enigma machine with black keys and a metal body, showing its internal components and partially disassembled parts.

Disassembled and cleaned

A vintage typewriter with round keys on a black textured metal base, sitting on a white surface.
A black metal frame with some screws and hardware parts on a white surface.
A metal mechanical part with multiple small glass bulbs on top, connected by copper wires, resting on white paper.
Close-up of vintage mechanical device with levers, gears, and metal components, likely an old typewriter or a piece of machinery.

Complete and working Enigma Machine 'S'

Collection of red and white paper documents, a wooden cipher enigma machine, and various booklets and papers on a textured tablecloth.
Vintage mechanical cipher enigma machine with rotary dials, a keyboard with round keys, and a metal base for encryption and decryption of messages.
An Enigma cipher machine with a wooden case open, showing the internal components, alphabet keys, and wiring, resting on a wooden table.
A vintage mechanical typewriter in a wooden case with sheet music and music folders around it. The scene appears to be on a table with a patterned tablecloth, and books or documents are also present.