These cipher machines are based on the German Enigma principle and can operate either with eight or with ten rotors. The M-125 Fialka (Violet) cipher machines were the backbone of secret communications in the Warsaw Pact countries during the Cold War era.
 
 

The FIALKA M-125-3 and its power supply. (Photo submitted by John Alexander, G7GCK Leicester, England)

	Click on image for a closeup view of the Fialka 125. (Photo by Ralph Simpson)
	Click on image for a closeup view of the Fialka rotor assembly. (Photo by Ralph Simpson)

 

Underneath the lid. (Photo by John Alexander, G7GCK Leicester, England)

Rotors disassembled. (Photo by John Alexander, G7GCK Leicester, England)

Top view showing rotors and printing mechanism. (Photo by John Alexander, G7GCK Leicester, England)

Top view. Lid closed. Machines with smaller keys were called  M-125's (Photo by John Alexander, G7GCK Leicester, England)

Keyboard detail. (Photo by John Alexander, G7GCK Leicester, England)

Rear view of power supply. (Photo by John Alexander, G7GCK Leicester, England)

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MORE ROTORSET PHOTOS

All Fialka rotor images in this photoset courtesy E-bay.

Later model Fialka rotor set (Czech Army). The male contacts appear to be spring-loaded stamped steel and are not round, like the orginals. Click to enlarge (Photo and copy via E-bay)

Fialka cable set. (E-bay photo)

For a comprehensive look at Fialka, please visit Paul Reuver's Fialka web page.
His pages include some interesting details about certain aspects of the machine. Future plans include a copy of the Fialka manual which can be ordered through the website. A full (reverse-engineered) circuit diagram is also available for the machine.

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Contributors and credits:

1) Ralph Simpson <ralphenator(at)gmail.com>

Sept 7/17