Overview
With the Acht-Acht (8.8) Flak Damast, Boker presents its first military-historical artillery project as an exclusive collector’s dagger. Among historians and connoisseurs, the 8.8 cm Flak—originally developed as an anti-aircraft gun—is widely regarded as one of the most versatile and effective artillery pieces of WW II. While designed for air defense, it earned its legendary reputation primarily through its exceptional performance in ground combat. At a time when most contemporary anti-tank guns, with calibers ranging from 3.7 cm to 7.5 cm, struggled against increasingly heavy armor, the 8.8 cm Flak stood apart. It proved capable of reliably penetrating formidable targets such as the British Matilda II and the Soviet T-34, even at distances of up to 2,000 meters (1.25 miles). A key factor was its unusual ability to depress the barrel below the horizontal plane—an uncommon feature for an anti-aircraft gun—allowing effective engagement of ground targets. Mounted on a column base with four cross-shaped outriggers, the gun could also rotate a full 360 degrees. Speed was another defining characteristic of the Eight-Eight. Rapid assembly and disassembly of the cross mount enabled swift repositioning, while its semi-automatic action—with delayed barrel recoil—allowed a high rate of fire. After each shot, the breech opened automatically, cocked the firing mechanism, and ejected the spent cartridge. A well-trained crew of typically nine soldiers could achieve up to 20 rounds per minute. Statistically, this resulted in approximately 9 out of 1,000 incoming aircraft being shot down—a figure that remains one of the highest effective firing rates in the history of anti-aircraft artillery. The 8.8 cm Flak also contributed significantly to the reputation of other historic weapons. As the primary armament of the Tiger I tank, and later the Nashorn tank destroyer, it further cemented its status as an engineering benchmark—one already honored by Boker in previous Damascus collector projects. The Acht-Acht (8.8) Flak Damast is realized as a fully developed dagger with a distinctly medieval aesthetic. At its core is a slender yet imposing 7.2-inch blade, forged from authentic components of an original 8.8 cm Flak. The handle features a scroll turned from locally stabilized hornbeam, accented by 16 precisely cut jimpings. The 5 mm thick stainless-steel guard subtly echoes the proportions of the Flak’s transport-folded cross mount, while the solid stainless-steel pommel discreetly reflects the silhouette of the deployed base. The dagger is paired with a dark brown leather sheath featuring a belt loop and localized reinforcement for secure carry.
Comes with original box and brown leather sheath. Excellent condition. #0099
