This was a strip cipher coding machine. In France it was known as   "Transpositeur à Permutations Secretes" , and was used to encode short telegraphic messages. It was invented in 1912 by Georges and Gabriel Lugagne  of Marseilles, France and patented under French patent  number FR 461217 in 1913. The device was built by BARBOTHEU in Paris, a maker of precision scientific instruments which utilized slide rules.

This encryption system was used  from 1913 to 1930 and considered to be safe but not practical for use in long messages. Later on, it was replaced by the Sphinx  which was also developed by the same inventors.

Dimensions:  Around 7.5  x 4 x 0.5 inches
Weight: Around 0.65 pounds

Overall view of the Lagagne. Pictured is serial number 515.

With slides in the stowed position.

Encoding a sample message

Download any image to enlarge. These photos are best seen by rotating them to portrait mode. (All images via E-bay).

Contributors:

1) Copy via E-bay

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Nov 21/18