Vasco Da Gama
Well-Known Member
Posted are some pictures of German WW1 anti-aircraft cases, a couple of 88mm and a 77mm. The easy one is the 77x585 for the 8cm Flak L/45, headstamp FN JULI 47 1918 and HL27. The 88's are more difficult, one is the Naval 88x571, headstamp Karlsruhe XII 1917 188 and the crowned M for marine. The second is what I believe comes from the land use anti-aircraft gun, 88x563 also made in Karlsruhe headstamp OKT 1917 SP255 and 46. I have come across 3 cases of 88x563 over 10 years and so they are not cut examples of the 88x571, they follow the Army pattern of markings using an abbreviation of the month rather than Roman numerals on the marine cases. I have seen marine cases dated to before 1914 but not a 563 case pre-war. The 3 shorter cases examined all show deep scratches around the case mouth, indicating difficulty in extraction? The same marks do not appear on the marine cases I have seen. Bottom line is I think that the 88mm WW1 anti-aircraft gun used a shorter case that the standard marine 88. Standing by for comment!
