Original German WWII 8.8cm Flak 18 Shell with Projectile as Used in Tiger I Tank - Inert

Original Item: Only One Available. This round is totally inert and deactivated following guidelines provided by the ATF. This example is offered in fair heavily-oxidized condition with original markings. Not Available for Export.

The 8.8 cm Flak 18/36/37/41 is a German 88 mm anti-aircraft and anti-tank artillery gun from World War II. It was widely used by Germany throughout the war, and was one of the most recognized German weapons of that conflict. Development of the original model led to a wide variety of guns. This example is one of the variants used aboard the Tiger I heavy tank. The fuze and projectile are very heavily rusted and we can no longer read any markings on either of them. The bottom of the casing is heavily worn but is stamped:

41
6347 St
8,8cm Flak 18

The side of the casing is marked:

1527-467-1368
RTA 1999
88tkrv 2rJ-32A ppp th 27L
1142
RS14D63 119-79
RDNG2RW2 001-42
5m/s/10 oC
600m/s
A07 013-98
27 P 98

We are unsure of the origin of these markings and when they were added. The casing appears to be steel. The fuze no longer screws entirely into the projectile due to heavy oxidation. We could not find an intact 3-letter code across the round.

The casing measures 22½” tall on its own, and with the projectile inserted, it measures roughly 37” tall. The casing was repainted at one point with markings added.

The name FlaK 88 applies to a series of related guns, the first one officially called the 8.8 cm Flak 18, the improved 8.8 cm Flak 36, and later the 8.8 cm Flak 37. Flak is a contraction of German Flugzeugabwehrkanone meaning "aircraft-defense cannon", the original purpose of the weapon. In English, "flak" became a generic term for ground anti-aircraft fire. In informal use, the guns were universally known as the Acht-acht ("eight-eight") by Germans and the "eighty-eight" by the Allies.

The versatile carriage allowed the 8.8 cm FlaK to be fired in a limited anti-tank mode when still on its wheels; it could be completely emplaced in only two and a half minutes. Its successful use as an improvised anti-tank gun led to the development of a tank gun based upon it: the 8.8 cm KwK 36, with the "KwK" abbreviation standing for Kampfwagen-Kanone (literally "battle vehicle cannon", or "fighting vehicle cannon"), meant to be placed in a gun turret as the tank's primary armament. This gun served as the main armament of the Tiger I heavy tank.

In addition to these Krupp designs, Rheinmetall later created a more powerful anti-aircraft gun, the 8.8 cm Flak 41, which was produced in relatively small numbers. Krupp responded with another prototype of the long-barreled 8.8 cm gun, which was further developed into the anti-tank and tank destroyer 8.8 cm PaK 43 gun used for the Elefant and Jagdpanther, and turret-mounted 8.8 cm KwK 43 heavy tank gun of the Tiger II.

This would be perfect for any WWII ordnance collection. Ready to add to your collection and display!