Original Item: Only One Available. This round is totally inert and deactivated following guidelines provided by the ATF. This example is offered in excellent condition with original paint and 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.

As early as 1939 the Luftwaffe asked for newer weapons with even better performance, to address the problems of defending against attack by high-flying aircraft. Rheinmetall responded with a new 88 mm design with a longer cartridge and a longer barrel.

A prototype was ready in early 1941 leading to the designation 8.8 cm Flak 41. The new gun fired a 9.4-kilogram (20 lb) shell at a muzzle velocity of 1,000 m/s (3,280 ft/s), giving it an effective ceiling of 11,300 meters (37,100 ft) and a maximum of 14,700 meters (48,200 ft), which General der Flakartillerie Otto Wilhelm von Renz said to be "almost equal to the 128-mm." It featured a lower silhouette on its turntable mounting than did the 8.8-cm Flak 18/36/37 on its pedestal mounting. The barrel was at first a three-section one with a length of 74 calibers, and then redesigned to dual-section with a length of 72 calibers. Improvements in reloading raised the firing rate, with 20 to 25 rounds a minute being quoted.

This example is offered in very good condition, and measures 47¾” in overall length. It is marked in numerous places with German insertion stamps, manufacturer codes and technical designations. The shell did suffer heavy surface oxidation and even material loss, with a portion of the baseplate at the bottom of the casing missing. There are still however multiple markings stamped directly into the metal, which we are not able to identify.

The fuze has very heavy wear, but we were able to identify some of the markings, AZ 23 / auf 44, indicating 1944 manufacture by H. Diehl, Nürnberg 30, Äussere Bayreuther Strasse, a foundry and metal-pressing agency associated with the manufacture of small-arms components and AZ. 23 fuzes.

The brass shell casing measures 33½” tall and still retains the markings on the base: 

60
aux    44 
8.8cm Flak 41

The bottom of the casing is marked with maker code aux / 44, for Polte-Werke, Werk Magdeburg, a maker of ammunition. Definitely some great markings on this shell! The fuze unscrews from the top of the shell, and the shell also easily removes from the casing.

Complete rounds such as these with intact markings are extremely rare. This is the first Flak 41 round we have ever offered. Ready to add to your collection and display!