In Pictures: Unique spy gadget collection in the International Spy Museum

A collection of gadgets used by spies in the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

Published
Jan 5, 2017, 9:55 am SGT
A handout photo of a fountain pen camera. Issued by the CIA in the late 1970s, this fountain pen was one of three different designs created to conceal a Tropel lens.
A handout photo of a fountain pen camera. Issued by the CIA in the late 1970s, this fountain pen was one of three different designs created to conceal a Tropel lens.PHOTO: EPA
A handout photo of a lipstick gun. The pistol disguised as lipstick was used by the KGB and could deliver a single 4.5 mm shot.
A handout photo of a lipstick gun. The pistol disguised as lipstick was used by the KGB and could deliver a single 4.5 mm shot. PHOTO: EPA
A handout photo of a rectal tool kit issued by the CIA during the 1960's.
A handout photo of a rectal tool kit issued by the CIA during the 1960's.PHOTO: EPA
A handout photo of a pipe gun used by the British Special Forces during World War II. The weapon fired by twisting the bowl while holding the stem.
A handout photo of a pipe gun used by the British Special Forces during World War II. The weapon fired by twisting the bowl while holding the stem.PHOTO: EPA
A handout photo of a shoe transmitter used by the Romanian Secret Service in the 1960s and 1970s to spy on US diplomats. Diplomats, reluctant to purchase clothing locally, would have shoes flown in. The spy agency would intercept the shoes at the pos
A handout photo of a shoe transmitter used by the Romanian Secret Service in the 1960s and 1970s to spy on US diplomats. Diplomats, reluctant to purchase clothing locally, would have shoes flown in. The spy agency would intercept the shoes at the post office and install the bug and transmitter in the heel to monitor the diplomat's conversations.PHOTO: EPA
A handout photo of a glove gun, issued by the US Navy. To trigger the gun, the wearer had to push the plunger into an attacker's body.
A handout photo of a glove gun, issued by the US Navy. To trigger the gun, the wearer had to push the plunger into an attacker's body. PHOTO: EPA
A handout photo of a pigeon mounted camera. This camera was used to photograph fortifications in World War I.
A handout photo of a pigeon mounted camera. This camera was used to photograph fortifications in World War I. PHOTO: EPA
A handout photo of cuff links issued by the KGB in the 1950s. The hollowed base of these cufflinks could be used to smuggle microdot film across a border.
A handout photo of cuff links issued by the KGB in the 1950s. The hollowed base of these cufflinks could be used to smuggle microdot film across a border.PHOTO: EPA
A handout photo of a pair of glasses used by the CIA in the 1970's that concealed cyanide pellets. A captured spy in the 1970s could chew on the tip of these CIA-issued spectacles to get at a cyanide pellet hidden inside.
A handout photo of a pair of glasses used by the CIA in the 1970's that concealed cyanide pellets. A captured spy in the 1970s could chew on the tip of these CIA-issued spectacles to get at a cyanide pellet hidden inside. PHOTO: EPA
A handout photo of a World War II-era canteen bomb issued by US Army intelligence. It concealed explosives that could be used by resistance groups to sabotage encampments behind enemy lines.
A handout photo of a World War II-era canteen bomb issued by US Army intelligence. It concealed explosives that could be used by resistance groups to sabotage encampments behind enemy lines. PHOTO: EPA
A handout photo of the Steineck watchcam, a product of post-World War II Germany. The camera allowed an agent to snap pictures while appearing to check the time. The film disk, about an inch across, could produce eight exposures.
A handout photo of the Steineck watchcam, a product of post-World War II Germany. The camera allowed an agent to snap pictures while appearing to check the time. The film disk, about an inch across, could produce eight exposures.PHOTO: EPA
A handout photo of a stump bug, which was deployed in the 1970s by US intelligence agents in a wooded area outside Moscow to eavesdrop on radar and communications signals of a Soviet missile system.
A handout photo of a stump bug, which was deployed in the 1970s by US intelligence agents in a wooded area outside Moscow to eavesdrop on radar and communications signals of a Soviet missile system. PHOTO: EPA
A handout photo of a hidden coat camera issued by the KGB around 1970. The lens was embedded in the double-breasted jacket's right middle button. To snap a picture, the spy would squeeze a shutter cable hidden in the coat pocket.
A handout photo of a hidden coat camera issued by the KGB around 1970. The lens was embedded in the double-breasted jacket's right middle button. To snap a picture, the spy would squeeze a shutter cable hidden in the coat pocket. PHOTO: EPA
A handout photo of a transmitter that looks like faeces. This CIA transmitter, issued around 1970, was actually a homing beacon that transmitted a radio signal to pilots overhead to help direct them to bombing targets and reconnaissance sites.
A handout photo of a transmitter that looks like faeces. This CIA transmitter, issued around 1970, was actually a homing beacon that transmitted a radio signal to pilots overhead to help direct them to bombing targets and reconnaissance sites. PHOTO: EPA
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