Real (and historical) top secret spy devices from the International Spy Museum!

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Buttonhole camera, model F-21, circa 1970. Known by the codename "Ajax," this hidden camera was concealed within a regular coat and was widely used in the Soviet Union, Europe, and the US. The camera's trigger was held in the pocket, and when activated, would snap a picture from a lens that resembled a button.

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Dog poop transmitter, circa 1970. This hidden transmitter was disguised by the one thing nobody wants to touch — poop. This device was issued by CIA during the 1970s and transmitted a radio signal to coordinate airstrikes and reconnaissance.

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Eyeglasses with concealed cyanide pills, circa 1975–1977. Not all covert operations go according to plan. In the case of compromised mission, a CIA agent choosing death over torture could remove their eyeglasses and chew on the arm to release a powerful dose of cyanide.

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Lipstick Pistol, circa 1965. This ordinary looking lipstick was designed and used by the KGB during the Cold War and was capable of firing a deadly .177-caliber round.

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Tree stump listening device, early 1970s. Designed by the CIA, this tree stump would be placed near a Soviet base and used to intercept secret radio transmissions. The data would be relayed back to the CIA via satellite.

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Rectal tool kit, 1960s. Utilized by the CIA, this compact tool kit was designed to be hidden inside an agent's anus to be undetectable during a pat down.

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Pigeon camera, 1916–1917. This German pigeon camera was used during WWI for reconnaissance on enemy positions. The camera was placed on a timer and the birds were set free to fly over the battleground. Upon returning, the film was processed and the data collected was implemented into real-time combat strategies.

[timmy]

Explosive water canteen, 1942–1945. During World War II, some US Army intelligence officials carried this canteen which contained explosives in the lower portion of the container.

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Explosive coal and camouflage, circa 1942–1945. This lump of coal was created by the United States OSS during World War II. Within its hallowed center was an explosive, while a camouflage kit was also provided to paint the lump in the exact color of the local coal. If unsuspecting enemy personnel were to toss it into a fire, the coal would detonate.

[timmy]

Flashlight gun, 1930s Little is known about which agency developed this tool, which featured a working flashlight and functioning firearm.

[timmy]

Hollow coin, 1950s–1990s. Hollow coins are quite prevalent in espionage, offering a clandestine storage for microdots and microfilm. The coin is opened by inserting a needle into a tiny hole on the face of the coin

[timmy]

Shoe with heel transmitter, 1960s–1970s. This shoe was stolen from a US diplomat by the Romanian Secret Service and outfitted with a hidden microphone and transmitter.

[timmy]

Steineck ABC wristwatch camera, circa 1949. Developed in West Germany, this tiny camera was situated on an agent's wrist and was capable of snapping eight photos. Since the camera didn't come equipped with a viewfinder, framing a good shot was quite a difficult task.

[timmy]

Tessina camera and cigarette case concealment, 1960s. What at first glance looks to be a fancy pack of cigarettes, was actually a hidden camera developed by the German Stasi during the 1960s. An operative was able to grab a real smoke and covertly snap pictures at the same time.

[timmy]

This gun was developed by the US Office of Naval Intelligence and designed to be triggered by pushing the top plunger into the enemy.