A rare mechanical cipher machine or volvelle, English, circa 1800, the red morocco leather covered case hinged to open to a silvered metal circle with fixed band at the circumference engraved with letters of the alphabet and common use short words, and revolving inner disc operated by a handle at the side, engraved with numbers 10 to 99 in sequence, when open 11½in (29cm) diameter Fußnoten Using a pair of such instruments, confidential correspondence or secret military signals could be sent by converting messages to a numerical code and then subsequently de-coded when both instruments are adjusted to the same setting.
A rare mechanical cipher machine or volvelle, English, circa 1800, the red morocco leather covered case hinged to open to a silvered metal circle with fixed band at the circumference engraved with letters of the alphabet and common use short words, and revolving inner disc operated by a handle at the side, engraved with numbers 10 to 99 in sequence, when open 11½in (29cm) diameter Fußnoten Using a pair of such instruments, confidential correspondence or secret military signals could be sent by converting messages to a numerical code and then subsequently de-coded when both instruments are adjusted to the same setting.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
