Description
You are bidding on a SUPERB used example of a WW2 German Wehrmacht Steel Kettenglied (Track Link) & Pin, as ONLY used on the later model Panzerkampfwagen VI E (Sd.Kfz. 181) “Tiger” Tank and its variants! This includes the Sturmtiger, Bergetiger Fahrschulpanzer VI Tiger, Flammtiger, and others! Though I do not have any specific history, it was originally found in the area of the Kurland Pocket.
The Tiger I was a German heavy tank of World War II that began operational duty in 1942 in Africa and in the Soviet Union, usually in independent heavy tank battalions. It gave the German Army its first armoured fighting vehicle that mounted the 8.8 cm (3.5 in) KwK 36 gun (derived from the 8.8 cm Flak 36, the famous “eighty-eight” feared by Allied troops).
1,347 were built between August 1942 and August 1944. After August 1944, production of the Tiger I was phased out in favour of the Tiger II. While the Tiger I has been called an outstanding design for its time, it has also been called overengineered, using expensive materials and labour-intensive production methods. In the early period, the Tiger was prone to certain types of track failures and breakdowns. It was expensive to maintain, but generally mechanically reliable.
Today, only nine Tiger I tanks survive in museums and private collections worldwide. As of 2021, Tiger 131 (captured during the North African campaign) at the UK’s Tank Museum is the only example restored to running order.
Made of solid manganese-nickel steel, this 725mm Tiger Tank Track Link is in AMAZING relic condition! This is the later style developed in 1944/1945, that features diagonal sections in the toe, to act similar to an ice cleat. Though it does have some very slight pitting, it is one of the NICEST I have seen in a while, and is VERY solid (probably usable). No damage, breaks, or bends, and the manufacture stamps are also clearly cast into the front. It is approx. 30″ long and comes complete with the original (and RARE) pin! I have shown the exact track type in the last photos. Definitely used in combat, due to the wear on the toe, it should look AMAZING once cleaned! Weighing approx. 60 lbs., it would make a PERFECT item for any collection or display!
