Kryha - Iconography

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Standard Model: different aspects

Fig. 1: Shiny steel
Fig. 2: Model with a golden yellow top
Fig. 2: CGHQ (Military model?)

The most common Kryha model is the standard model. This model is most often housed in a smooth, shiny steel case (Fig. 1). However, it also exists in other versions: with a smooth, golden-yellow top (Fig. 2) or with a textured top in black, ochre, brown or green (Fig. 3).

This latter model belonged to GCHQ. Could they have purchased it to analyze enemy messages? There are also machines bearing the Marconi stamp. Indeed, this company specialized in radio communications.

What is certain is that these different models and versions indicate that Kryha machines are not as rare as one might think. In fact, it is present in most museums associated with communications or secret warfare. Many collectors own copies (see References).

Different Models

Kryha offered three versions of his machine:

  • A purely mechanical version (the "standard" form).
  • A printing version, called the Electric model.
  • A tiny mechanical version, called Liliput.

The most common version is the standard version. The operator must write the result of the encryption (or decryption) on paper. The printing version is extremely rare: I have personally never seen one. The Liliput version is rare but so cute that it is highly sought after by collectors and museums.

Different Versions

The different models are interoperable: a message can be encrypted with the standard model and decrypted with the Liliput model.

In fact, there are two versions of the Kryha machine, which I personally call V1 and V2 (see working). They are not interoperable (at least not initially). The Liliput models I've seen belong to the V2 version. Externally, nothing distinguishes the two versions. However, if you lift the cover, you'll see that the V1 model is equipped with a removable wheel, while the V2 model has a configurable wheel.

The V2 version has evolved: some models have a wheel with holes configured using screws, and others with sliding tabs.

We show photos of these different models and versions on the following pages:

In addition, the References section links to several websites where Kryha machines can be admired.

A list of Kryha encryption machines

A few years ago, Ralph Simpson and Klauss Schmeh tried to establish a list of Kryha machines that have survived (see Reference).

References

Articles & Books

  • Schmeh, K. 2010. "Alexander von Kryha and his Encryption Machines." Cryptologia 34(4): 291-300. Note: You can see von Kryha's drawings, from his studio, an advertisement (Zeppelin, Marconi and Kryha) and photos of machines.
  • Marks Philip, 2011, "Operational Use and Cryptanalysis of the Kryha Cipher Machine", Cryptologia, Volume 35 issue 2, April 2011. Note: The article contains many photos: machines, utensils, wheels (one with 15 sectors), configurable wheels (screw or tongue).

Web sites

  • Frode Weierud - The Kryha Cipher Machine (link).
  • Gessler - Collections in Cryptology - Polyalphabetic Substitutions Ciphers (link). Note: One of the machines bears the Marconi stamp.
  • Spy Museum - Kryha (with Marconi stamp) (link).
  • Klauss Schmeh - A list of Kryha encryption machines (link).
  • John Proc - Several pages deal with Kryha (link)
  • National Cryptologic Museum. Browse the collection (link). Note: You can search by keyword. If we use the word "Kryha", you can recover several dozen photographs.