Nazi Germany Reich Security Cipher Key Files (1943–1944) (Irving File 4J)

Original price was: $100.00.Current price is: $50.00.

& Shipping

Unlock the secrets of Nazi Germany’s intelligence apparatus with these original Reich Security Cipher Key Files—vital documents used for encrypted communication across the Third Reich’s security services. A rare insight into the hidden code systems of the era.

Categories: Documents, Internal Communications, Microfilms, Records, Report Tags: Archival, Documents, Encryption Key, German, government records, K.G.B., Microfilm Brand: Irving Collection

Member discount available – join now!

This is a large historical archive (844 pages) of cipher key communications from Nazi Germany’s Reichssicherheitshauptamt (RSHA — Reich Security Main Office), dating mainly from 1943 to 1944.
It includes:

Cipher key distribution orders
Receipt and confirmation forms
Destruction protocols for expired keys
Tables of encryption keys (rotor, ground, and message keys)
Brief handwritten Russian annotations (Soviet archival processing notes after capture).

It was cataloged as part of the Irving File 4J, and the documents were clearly gathered from Nazi administrative sources—likely seized by Soviet forces and later processed.

Integrity: Appears to be a complete or near-complete run of monthly key schedules and corresponding receipts & destructions over ~15 months.
Condition Indicators (from scan images):
- Good legibility, consistent typewriter ink, some fading on carbon copies.
- Some pages bear folds, marginal wear, and handwritten overlays.

Disclaimer
This document is provided solely for historical research, scholarly, and educational purposes. It contains records originating from the Reichssicherheitshauptamt (RSHA), the principal security and intelligence organization of Nazi Germany, and includes administrative materials related to cryptographic operations during World War II.
The contents reflect the administrative practices and language of the Nazi regime and may include terminology, symbols, or ideological constructs that are offensive, discriminatory, or reflective of state-sponsored atrocities. Inclusion of these materials does not constitute endorsement or validation of any such views by the archivist, researchers, or institutions handling this document.
Researchers and readers are reminded that these records must be interpreted within their historical context. Any modern use beyond scholarship—such as replication of encryption practices for operational security or propaganda—is strongly discouraged and may be subject to legal or ethical restrictions in various jurisdictions.

Condition Note

Physical and Visual Condition:

Legibility: The document is highly legible, with typed and handwritten text visible throughout. Many pages include typewritten text with official stamps, handwritten signatures, and marginalia in ink or pencil.
Image Quality: The scanned pages (at least the first 35) are clear, with good contrast between text and background. Stamps and handwritten notations are intact and readable.
Completeness: Pages appear sequential and intact, with cipher schedules extending through several months. Cipher key tables and decryption code lists are preserved and unaltered.
Annotations: Some pages contain handwritten remarks (often confirming receipt or destruction of cipher materials), especially in Russian—suggesting use in intelligence interpretation or documentation.

Summary Judgment:

This file is in excellent archival condition both physically and content-wise. It is a critical piece of historical documentation relating to the internal workings of Nazi Germany’s intelligence cipher protocols. The systematic preservation of key delivery, use, and destruction cycles offers researchers a reliable and detailed window into cryptographic practices of the Reichssicherheitshauptamt.