Culver City,
California
x
Spy Camera Concealment Device
Maker: Unknown
Date Made: 1965-1975
Country: Soviet Union
Materials: metal; plastic
Measurements: 2 1/4 in x 5 1/2 in x 2 1/2 in; 5.715 cm x 13.97 cm x 6.35 cm; 2 1/2 in x 4 in x 4 in; 6.35 cm x 10.16 cm x 10.16 cm
Two Soviet KGB spy camera concealment devices. According to the KGB Spy Museum plaque: "When KGB agents chased foreign tourists and their meeting moments with Russian citizens, they needed to take photos of their meetings from very close up. Therefore, these magic concealments were made and the Ajax camera was built inside. The cover was put on to make it clear to outsiders that a person walks with a FED, Zenit, or Lomo camera as a normal tourist. At the appropriate moment, the KGB agent pushed the button on the bottom of the case, it opened the window on the side, took a picture and closed again. The photographer had to be a professional, well aware of the angle at which he was shooting. But the good news is that the case absorbed the sound of taking the picture." The L-Shaped device has a lever at the bottom where the shutter opens and closed, revealing where the camera lens would have been. There is a small red arrow sticker pointing to the area that opens and closes. On the side, there is a sliding mechanism, labeled 16, 8, 5.6, 4, and 2.8. When the slider moves, a circle that would have touched the lens turns. Presumably, this is to allow the hidden camera to zoom in and out. On the opposite side, there is a small silver handle, labeled OTKP, that moves so as to restrict the level from opening and closing. Presumably this is so the agent wouldn't accidentaly reveal the lens of the concealed camera. On the more simply, flat device, there is a long metal rod on the side. When the rod is pushed in, the metal concealment cover quickly opens and closes. It is almost undectable. There is a small red arrow pointing to the area that opens and closes. On the opposite side, there is a sliding mechanism. When the slider moves, a circle that would have touched the lens turns. Presumably, this is to allow the hidden camera to zoom in and out. For similar devices, see 2021.013.008.
Accession Number: 2021.013.009