Extremely rare official 1976 Innsbruck Winter Olympics torch, constructed of aluminum alloy and steel, measuring 29″ in length and 8.25″ at its widest point, designed by Vereinigte Metallwerke Ranshofen Berndorf. The upper shaft of the torch is hexagonal and features a pair of Olympic rings in openwork, with an elegantly curved metal strip extending from rings to platform representing a ski jump. The rim of the platform features a label inscribed with Olympic rings and "XII. Olympische Winterspiele Innsbruck 1976." The handle's base bears a manufacturer's label, and the top retains its original cap. The shaft, platform, and handle exhibit some mild light marks and discoloration.
The flame of the XII Olympic Winter Games was lit in Olympia, Greece, on January 30, 1976, and traveled a total of 1,618 km over the course of five days to Innsbruck's Bergisel Stadium. The opening ceremony featured the lighting of two cauldrons, honoring both the current games and those the city hosted in 1964; the latter cauldron was lit by Austrian skier Christl Haas, who became the first woman to light a cauldron for a Winter Olympiad. Given that only 100 were made, this is a uniquely desirable Olympic torch with a wonderful Nordic skiing motif.
