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Pin-and-lug cipher machine
The C-36 is one of the first mechanical pin-and-lug machines
developed by Boris Hagelin around 1936.
It is significantly larger than its
predecessor, the C-35,
and resembles the shape of the later M-209 somewhat.
In this model the lugs on the metal bars of the cage are not yet movable.
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Like the C-35 it has five pin-wheels albeit with a slightly different
distribution of the lugs. The wheels have 17, 19, 21, 23 and 25 pins
that can be configured by the user,
giving a maximum cipher period of 3,900,225 [1].
The image on the right shows the interior of a C-36A that was donated to
Crypto Museum in Februari 2009 [2]. It was used by the Dutch Navy in the
1930s and was supplied by Koopman & Co in Amsterdam, the same company
that would later supply the C-446 to the Dutch Navy and Air Force.
The machine shown here is not complete.
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A later version of the C-36, designated C-362,
was an improved version of the machine.
The machine contained a number of changes, but the most imported
difference was the fact that the lugs had been made movable,
like in the later C-38/M-209, making it more secure.
This brings the C-362 closer to the M-209, whilst the C-36
is closer to the design of the earlier C-35.
As with all Hagelin cipher machines, the C-36 came in a number of different
versions. In many cases they were modified to the customer's specifications.
The C-36 shown on Wikipedia [1] is significantly different from the one
featured on this page. The following variations are known:
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- Green case (military) or red exterior with black interior (Navy)
- Standard (Yale-type) lock or cross-type lock.
- Crank or knob operated
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From the machine featured on this page, a number of components are missing.
The unit was probably used as 'donor' for spare parts.
In the old days it was rather common to 'canibalize' a machine
in order to repair several others. Nevertheless, the cage, the pin-wheels
and the rest of the mechanics are in good condition, making it a worthwhile
restoration project.
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We are currently looking for the following parts:
- Gearbox between crank and main cage axle, plus its cover.
- Counter with cogwheel.
- Inner lock with key.
- Bottom part of the outer lock.
This photograph shows the right hand side of the C-36.
As you can see, the crank is present but the mechanics
to move the drum are missing. These have probably been
removed by a former owner in an attempt to repair the unit.
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The most important parts that we need at the moment are the crank gear
(on the right) and the counter with its cog-wheel.
If you have any spare parts for this machine, please contact us.
Your help is much appreciated.
It would be nice to bring this beautiful machine back to life one day.
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© Copyright 2009-2013, Paul Reuvers & Marc Simons. Last changed: Sunday, 15 April 2012 - 21:31 CET
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