A 1942-1944 German M4 four-rotor Enigma machine is expected to set a new auction record when it crosses the block at Bonhams New York.
It will lead the Conflicts of the 20th Century auction on October 21 with an estimate of $300,000-500,000 ($458,298-763,830).
 Enigma machines from U-boats are extremely rare |
The lot was used aboard a U-boat and is in full working order.
The survival rates for U-boats were low and the crew was ordered to destroy the Enigma machine if captured, meaning that very few exist today.
Bonhams comments: "The numbers of surviving M4s, given that at least 70% of commanders should have destroyed their machines before surrendering, can be estimated at 120 examples extant, mostly one suspects, languishing in Government storerooms around the world…
"Analysis of the 24 Museums around the world show a total of circa 50 Enigma machines on display, of which 7 are M4s, taken from captured U-Boats."
The record stands at $269,000 and was set at Bonhams last year for a working three rotor specimen used by the Wehrmacht.
Another four-rotor M4 Enigma machine (not in working condition) is to auction at Bonhams on October 27.
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