{"product_id":"wwi-trench-art-ashtray-1915-18-pdr-shell-case-303-mk-vii-french-coin","title":"WWI Trench Art Ashtray – 1915 18-Pdr Shell Case, .303 Mk VII \u0026 French Coin","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eOriginal \u003cstrong\u003eBritish WWII 20mm Hispano cannon cartridge case dated 1941\u003c\/strong\u003e, converted into an inert display round with a \u003cstrong\u003ewooden reproduction projectile\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe base is clearly headstamped:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e↑ \/ 20 MM \/ 1941\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eAn impressive and highly decorative piece of \u003cstrong\u003eFirst World War trench art\u003c\/strong\u003e, constructed from genuine period military components and centred around a \u003cstrong\u003e1915-dated British 18-pounder artillery shell case\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe base has been carefully fashioned from the lower section of the brass 18-pdr case, retaining its excellent original markings:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e18 PR II – 1915 – E.W.B. Co. Ltd\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRising from the centre is a brass stem supporting a handmade \u003cstrong\u003ematchbox holder\u003c\/strong\u003e, decorated with an applied British \u003cstrong\u003eRoyal Arms-style badge\u003c\/strong\u003e. The holder has been neatly formed from sheet brass with hand-worked detailing to the face.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf particular interest, the stem incorporates an \u003cstrong\u003eoriginal .303 British Mk VII cartridge\/bullet component\u003c\/strong\u003e, while a \u003cstrong\u003eFrench coin\u003c\/strong\u003e has been incorporated at the bottom of the stem. The combination of British ammunition components and a French coin is particularly evocative of trench-art pieces produced by servicemen in France during or shortly after the First World War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ashtray retains attractive age-related patination, heat staining, oxidation and surface marks. These have been left intact and form an important part of the character of this century-old piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA substantial and unusual example of \u003cstrong\u003eWWI trench art\u003c\/strong\u003e, combining an artillery shell case, small-arms ammunition component, coin and hand-worked brass into a functional soldier's smoking accessory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetails:\u003c\/strong\u003e British\/French • WWI • 1915 • 18-pdr shell case base • .303 Mk VII component • French coin • Brass matchbox holder • Period military trench art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e","brand":"Tommies Militaria and Collectables","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57366769434999,"sku":null,"price":95.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0698\/9263\/6991\/files\/IMG_7852.jpg?v=1786367352","url":"https:\/\/tommies-militaria-and-collectables.myshopify.com\/products\/wwi-trench-art-ashtray-1915-18-pdr-shell-case-303-mk-vii-french-coin","provider":"Tom \u0026 Jerrys Militaria and Collectables","version":"1.0","type":"link"}