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WW1 German 10cm Flak case?

Vasco Da Gama

Well-Known Member
I have struggled to identify which case was used by the German 10 or 10.5cm Flak guns used to a limited degree in WW1. These weapons were static mounted or on railway flatcars. I had assumed the guns had come from the Navy and been adapted for land use. However, the pictured case turned up recently and I think it may be a contender for the anti-aircraft role in WW1. The case is 830mm long, rim 144 and mouth 110mm, much larger than the Navy 10.5cm cases of this era. What I found interesting was the base markings which are very much in the Army style, including an Army style primer, similar to the 10cm Field gun. The marking of Karth I think indicates the ammunition was separate loading. From the size of the case I would offer this was a powerful high velocity weapon, maybe originally designed for coast defence. Not a case I have seen before, very glad to be educated as to which gun it belongs to. Pictured alongside a WW2 steel 10.5cm Flak 38 case for comparison.
 

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Interesting case, never seen before. I don't think it is a Flak case as these were cartridges. Dont have my docs here but I think the 10,5 cm Flak case was 651 mm long.

It may be for some export or captured enemy gun.
 
Hello,
I have only seen KARTH on k17 k04 casings. Can you look inside of the case around 505mm from the bottum up.

Maybe there is a seem or something.

It looks real nice and i am curious about what it may be.

Michael
 
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Hi Michael, there is no join in the case.
For me the key difference with the 10cm K04 case is the rim diameter, the K04 rim is 129mm were as this case the rim is much bigger 144mm.
 
Allright, now we know that there are 2 types of casings with the abbrevation KARTH. Your case is still a mystery.
 
Hi
the case used since WW1 for FLAK were the 105x656x129R (marine case) and 105x503x129R with 10 cm k Flak Krupp
 
Hi
the case used since WW1 for FLAK were the 105x656x129R (marine case) and 105x503x129R with 10 cm k Flak Krupp

Hello doctor,

the 10,5 cm O-Flak used special 105 x 651R cases according to the Polte case list (and found specimens).
 
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In the book "Big Bore Ammunition" written by RCJ Cartridge, such a case is listed as "105x831, 145mm Rim Dia, 10.5cm Flak, very short neck". Unfortunately without further information.
 
Just want to add my 10.5cm Flak case to this thread: Mouth diameter is 10.7cm, rim is 13cm (or 12.9)...overall height is 65cm.
DSCF9575.jpgDSCF9574.jpg
 
Hello Vasco de gama,

I recently found the same case. With some help i figured out it is a 10cm küsten kanone L50 shell case. IMG-20211206-WA0030.jpg
 
Hello Vasco de gama,

I recently found the same case. With some help i figured out it is a 10cm küsten kanone L50 shell case. IMG-20211206-WA0030.jpgIMG-20211206-WA0026.jpgIMG-20211206-WA0028.jpg
 
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