German, WW2 - 1941 / 1943 Dated, 2cm FlaK 30/38 High Explosive Round, 20×138B Long Solothurn, aql, eej, Inert

*German, WW2 - 1941 / 1943 Dated, 2cm FlaK 30/38 High Explosive Round, 20×138B Long Solothurn, aql, eej, Inert*

An original World War Two German 20×138B autocannon round for the famous 2cm FlaK 30/FlaK 38 family of anti-aircraft and vehicle-mounted cannon, retaining its original projectile and wartime factory markings. Completely inert, with removable projectile, hollow lacquer-coated steel case and free from all explosives or energetic materials.

The round comprises a bottlenecked lacquer-coated steel cartridge case fitted with a painted steel projectile retaining traces of its original dark finish together with a yellow High Explosive identification band. The cartridge type was employed across one of Germany’s most widespread light automatic weapon systems, seeing use not only in anti-aircraft roles but also in armoured vehicles such as the Panzer II, naval mountings and aircraft installations.

The projectile is marked "aql 27d 43", identifying manufacture by Singer Nähmaschinen AG, Wittenberge, a wartime industrial producer which converted part of its facilities from sewing machine manufacture to munitions production. The 43 indicates manufacture in 1943, while 27d represents the projectile lot or production series designation. The projectile retains faint traces of its original yellow identification band, indicating a High Explosive loading, consistent with a 2cm Sprenggranatpatrone (HE shell) variant.

The cartridge base is stamped "eej 27h 41" together with a Waffenamt acceptance mark. The eej code identifies Märkisches Walzwerk GmbH, Strausberg, while 41 indicates manufacture of the cartridge case in 1941. The 27h marking represents a production lot or case series code. The visible dark finish and oxidation pattern are entirely consistent with German lacquer-coated steel case construction employed during wartime production.

A particularly attractive detail is the mixed production dating, with the case manufactured in 1941 and the projectile in 1943. This was entirely normal within German wartime supply systems, where ammunition components were manufactured separately, stored and assembled using available stocks as required.

Approx. Measurements – Overall length: 20.3 cm. Base diameter: 2.2 cm.

History Note:
The 20×138B cartridge, commonly known as the Long Solothurn, was among the most important light autocannon cartridges used by German forces during the Second World War. It powered the 2cm FlaK 30 and later FlaK 38 anti-aircraft guns, weapons encountered throughout every major theatre of conflict from the deserts of North Africa to the Eastern Front. Variants of the same ammunition family also served in tank-mounted KwK 30/38 cannon, naval anti-aircraft mounts and aircraft weapons. By the later war years, shortages of strategic materials increasingly pushed German industry toward steel cartridge case production, often protected with lacquer finishes to reduce corrosion.

*Condition*
Good untouched condition with age-related oxidation, lacquer loss and storage wear throughout. Projectile unscrews correctly and both projectile and case remain empty and inert. The lacquer-coated steel case displays the characteristic pitting and surface finish degradation expected with age and wartime manufacture. A very honest example showing authentic service and storage wear. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.

JAQ#3125BE_9163241284