8,8cm FLAK casing

[edwin]

Dear all,

Here is another one Recently, I picked up the following 8,8 cm K-FLAK shell casing.

IMG_8330

The dimensions of the shell are as follows:
Height 522mm
Base diameter 107mm
Calibre 88mm

Based on these dimensions this shell represents a 8,8cm FLAK casing, according to the kaiserbunker.

IMG_8331

A close-up of the base reveals several nice stamps, which reveal that it was manufactured in June 1918 by Patronenfabrik from Karlsruhe. 106 is the lot number and Sp255 represents the control inspection mark. Interestingly, the twin flaming bomb stamp indicates that this shell was not made for the navy and was therefore probably used by an 8,8cm FLAK mounted on a trailer, which were pulled by trucks. Hence, K-FLAK (kraftwagen).

IMG_8335

This is a comparison of the stamps of a 8,8cm shell used by the navy (right) and a similar shell used by the army (left). The shell used by the navy contains the crowned M, which is the acceptance stamp of the kaiserliche marine.

IMG_8340

Remarkably, the FLAK shell used by the navy (left) is somewhat larger than the army shell. In fact, the navy shell has the typical dimensions of a 8.8cm FLAK casing. The army shell does not look to be shortened and the precise reason for the difference is as yet unclear to me.

Regards,

Edwin

 

[silent knight]

Hi Edwin

are you sure your casing is for the 8,8 cm FLAK?
The normal dimensions of this cartridge case are:

height: 560mm
base diameter: 113mm

Regards,
Pascal

 

[edwin]

Hi Edwin

are you sure your casing is for the 8,8 cm FLAK?
The normal dimensions of this cartridge case are:

height: 560mm
base diameter: 113mm

Regards,
Pascal

Hi,

Indeed, the base diameter is wrong. Its 111mm instead of 107mm but the calibre is 88mm and the height is 522mm. My navy shell has the typical dimensions of a FLAK cartridge. Based on the base diameter and the actual calibre it seems to me that this is also a FLAK shell, although it is somewhat smaller. However, if you have an alternative explanation I am highly interested in hearing it.

Regards,

Edwin

 

[silent knight]

Dear all,

Here is another one Recently, I picked up the following 8,8 cm K-FLAK shell casing.

The dimensions of the shell are as follows:
Height 522mm
Base diameter 107mm
Calibre 88mm

Based on these dimensions this shell represents a 8,8cm FLAK casing, according to the kaiserbunker.

Edwin

If you are talking of this one, dimensions of your casing are not good [-X
http://www.kaisersbunker.com/cc/cc21.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The cartridge case of the 8,8 cm FLAK is only 10 mm shorter than the case of the 8,8 cm Marine, the other dimensions are the same.
This difference of height is due to the fact that the shells for the FLAK gun had two driving bands instead of one for those for the marine gun.
For me, your cartridge case has been shortened.

Regards,
Pascal

 

[edwin]

The cartridge case of the 8,8 cm FLAK is only 10 mm shorter than the case of the 8,8 cm Marine, the other dimensions are the same.
This difference of height is due to the fact that the shells for the FLAK gun had two driving bands instead of one for those for the marine gun.
For me, your cartridge case has been shortened.

Regards,
Pascal

The possibility of a shortened casing also crossed my mind. Do you perhaps have an explanation why this was done, is this related to its use and is this common for German shells from this period?

Regards,

Edwin

 

[silent knight]

No, I don't have an explanation

Here is a 3D rendering of complete rounds
Left: 8,8cm Spgr. L/3,7 (FLAK)
Right: 8,8 cm Spgr L/3,6 (Kz.) (Marine)



Regards,
Pascal