They look like something out of a James Bond film, but these are the real spy cameras used by Soviet spooks in the Cold War.
The fascinating collection, which includes cameras built into buttons, umbrellas, cigarette cases and various bags, will go under the hammer on July 12.
There’s even a camera disguised as a camera, designed to shoot photos through the side of the case when it appears to be safely stowed away.
A collection of spy cameras used by Soviet spooks during the Cold War are set to go to auction. They include this Umbrella Spy Camera. The F-21 AJAX-12 camera has an f2.8 28mm lens, and is hidden inside a man’s umbrella. Raising the outer cover reveals the camera, ready for use
This Russian ‘button’ camera would have been stitched into a coat and then all the KGB agent had to do was squeeze the ‘release cable’ trigger. Many of the concealed miniature ‘button cameras’ had a wind-up mechanism – no batteries. One of the most widely used surveillance cameras of this type was the F-21 (seen here), which was manufactured between 1951 and 1995
A Replacement Button Kit, as supplied to the KGB. It is very rare and comes with the original list of parts. Although only one button has the camera mounted behind it, all the buttons could be replaced to present them as a matched set
A JPS spy camera disguised in a cigarette tin. The metal ‘tin’ is fitted with a Kiev-Vega sub-miniature camera with an Industar-M f3.5 23mm lens. The camera fires but cannot be removed from the outer casing for further inspection
The stainless steel Riga was the original mini spy camera sold commercially by Minox, and is extremely rare. It was designed in 1938 by Walter Zapp and could easily be concealed in the palm of the hand. The camera used 8mm x 11mm film and could take 50 pictures without reloading. This one is marked ‘Made in Latvia’. But when the Russians invaded in 1940, they changed subsequent models to read ‘Made in USSR’
The Minox brand was known for its use in the James Bond film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (pictured, starring George Lazenby). Roughly the size of a cigarette lighter, they take surprisingly crisp photos and are reputed to have been favoured by agents from both East and West
The cameras will go up for auction at Aston’s Auctioneers in Dudley, West Midlands on July 12. Pictured is an F-21 Ajax-12 Spy Camera, c. 1955. It is fitted with an uncommon f2 28mm lens and cassette. It was produced at the Krasnogorsk Mechanical Works just outside Moscow
The F-21 Ajax-12 is seen here with various accessories. The model was not only popular with the Soviets but also with its sister organisations who had signed up to the Warsaw Pact – including Poland
This unusual piece of kit is a camera… disguised as a camera. On casual glance, it appears to be a normal Zenith E camera in its case. But opening it reveals a hidden miniature F-21 Ajax-12 camera. It is mounted so the f2.8 28mm lens is pointing out of the side edge of the case. On pressing a small button on the bottom of the case, the internal mechanism cleverly raises a hidden internal flap, the camera shutters fires and the flap immediately closes shut
The ‘camera disguised as a camera’ user simply carries it over their shoulder in the normal way. However, it can take pictures at 90 degrees without raising any suspicion as it looks like the camera is in its case and not being used. The kit uses 21mm film and has a clockwork drive for multiple shots without detection
Photographic consultant Tim Goldsmith, from Aston’s Auctioneers in Dudley, West Midlands, which will handle the sale, said the collection was unlike any other.
‘I don’t know of another like this,’ he said. ‘You can find some as individual items if you look, but to find the whole collection like this is rare.
‘If you want the real old proper spy stuff, this is probably going to be your last opportunity.’
Among the lots are several Minox cameras, a brand known for its use in the James Bond film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
Roughly the size of a cigarette lighter, they take surprisingly crisp photos and are reputed to have been favoured by agents from both East and West.
A handbag with built-in Cine Camera for the female spy. This IMBIR 16mm silent cine camera with an f2 28mm lens is disguised in a ladies’ shoulder bag – and would be used in ‘honey trap’ situations. The camera mount in the bottom of the bag aligns the lens of the camera with a small hole in the outside of the bag
Ladies’ clutch bag with spy camera fittings. This one is designed to accommodate an F-21 Ajax-12 camera (not included in this particular lot). A simple but elegant mechanical micro switch in the base of the bag allows a camera (when fitted) to be operated without detection
A rare film splitter for the F-21 Ajax-12 spy cameras. It cuts standard 35mm film down to 21mm for use in reloadable cassettes
A man’s attache case with mount for a Zola 35mm spy camera. The Zola was a covert observation camera developed circa 1970 – and was in production until at least 1989
‘We’ve also got a lady’s handbag which takes a cine-camera,’ said Mr Goldsmith. ‘That was used in honeytrap situations.
‘Say a beautiful blonde was sitting at the bar and in comes a man from the American embassy. One thing leads to another, they end up in her room, she puts her bag down and it starts filming.
‘We’ve got a smaller version of that too which is built into a lady’s purse or clutch bag.’
Now play… Spot the spyware!
Here, a respectable-looking gentleman model is cunningly fitted with five of the spy cameras. (Namely, his case, his umbrella, his button, his camera and the cigarettes in his top pocket)
Among the other lots is a camera built into a man’s jacket, another built into a briefcase, and of course the one disguised as just another camera.
‘It looks like an old Zenit camera, of which there are literally a million around,’ said Mr Goldsmith. ‘But the clever thing is, this spy camera inside is pointed sideways.
‘So if you’re going somewhere where you weren’t supposed to take photographs, you’ve got the camera over your shoulder in its case and nobody says anything.
‘But you just stand at 90 degrees to what you want to photograph and press the little button on the bottom of the camera, the mechanism inside opens a flap in the side of the camera case.
‘The camera fires and the little flap on the side of the case shuts again.’
The cameras will go up for auction at Aston’s Auctioneers on July 12.