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Trench Art Shrapnel Letter Openers


TALLYHO
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Three examples of trench art fashioned from shrapnel. They are made of one solid piece construction. The top one is by far the largest that I have encountered measuring 17". the other two measure 10". The middle one is embellished with the iron cross and the years 1914 -1915. Often the name of the town or battle field would also be added.

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My favorite type of trench art letter opener!

 

I love these shrapnel pieces.

 

Here is one from my collection-- hope you don't mind me adding it to your post. Mine is about 11" long and is engraved on both sides. The other side is dated "1914".

 

Scott

 

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No problem Scott, Very nice piece. I like the detail. Did you research the L G? Looks like it could be done in memorial to LG, the initials a soldier KIA.

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No problem Scott, Very nice piece. I like the detail. Did you research the L G? Looks like it could be done in memorial to LG, the initials a soldier KIA.

 

 

Yes-- research shows that the symbol is the Coat of Arms of the Belgian City Liege.

 

Here is the back side with the date of 1914.

 

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Here is another in my collection.

 

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It is one of my favorites since it retains a piece of the copper driving band.

 

Scott

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That is really nice! I always wanted one with a piece of driving band. Speaking of driving bands, I have this 81/2" one made from a driving band. I`m thinking it`s German although during the inter war years the 45th infantry division symbol was derived from Native American culture. It was more readily identified as the "swastika",

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Might as well throw this one in too. I purchased this from the granddaughter of a WW1 veteran who served in the 42nd Infantry Division ( Rainbow Division ) and participated in the Argonne forest campaign. This was his. Made from a German 8mm round having the Imperial crown on the casing, then it transitions to what is the center of a german belt buckle, and then to the blade of the letter opener which is of brass.

length is 81/4".

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Nice letter openers tallyho!

 

Here is a group of mine made from driving bands:

 

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The center one is POW made.

 

This is turning into a comprehensive "trench art letter opener" posting!

 

Scott

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Nice ones. You can still pick those up at a decent price. That is the extent of my letter openers. When it comes to this I`m eclectic. A little of this a little of that. I`ll have to start a topic on trench art lighters.

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Nice ones. You can still pick those up at a decent price. That is the extent of my letter openers. When it comes to this I`m eclectic. A little of this a little of that. I`ll have to start a topic on trench art lighters.

 

Thanks. Look forward to seeing your lighters. I have a few as well-- not my prime trench art arena though.

 

I have a large trench art collection and am pretty discerning about what I buy now. I still add a handful or two of trench art pieces to my collection each year, but really look for the unusual at unusually LOW prices.

 

Scott

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Wow Brad! The one on top Is a real eye catcher. Never saw one with the shrapnel spread open to that degree. Imagine the damage that would have done if you got hit by it. The one on the bottom quite intricate. What are their lengths? Clay

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