Fascinating. Why is this on HN? It's quite different than the usual link to Wikipedia, which almost always is about a scientific fact, a historical event, or a very odd person.
it would be a quite uncommon item, as low numbers are produced.
it is however simple and a motivated person could manufacture one.
there is a possibility, a similar device was used in a very high profile case in newyork. the historical nature of such items suggests tradecraft may be afoot.
fallout 3 has made it popular, and its symbolic of a resistance movement circa WW II.