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Posted 12 months ago
scottvez
(554 items)
This trench art piece was made from a large section of an artillery round.
The shrapnel has been shaped and polished on one end, so it can be used as a letter opener.
These were very popular souvenir items during the war and during the post war battle field tourism boom.
This particular piece of shrapnel retained a small section of the copper driving band. Letter openers with remnants of the driving band are much more desirable for collectors.
If you like this please visit my other posts-- I have dozens of trench art items posted on Collectors Weekly.
Scott
Trench ArtStrictly speaking, trench art is a phrase that describes folk art created b…
Letter OpenersLetter openers are products of an age when communication was a good deal mo…
Link to another I have posted with an finely engraved blade:
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/28186-ww1-trench-art-shrapnel-letter-opener-wi?in=user
Scott
Thanks for the love walksoftly.
Scott
I believe the correct term is "shell fragment" since shrapnel refers only to the type of "shot" found in certain rounds. Learned that when researching my shrapnel shell a while back.
Very cool. I agree, the driving band makes this thing amazing.
Thanks Doc. Both "shrapnel" and "shell fragment" would be correct.
While there are specific shells called "shrapnel shells"-- shrapnel is the accepted term for fragments from an exploded artillery shell, mine, or bomb.
Scott
Thanks for looking mikko.
Scott
Thanks for looking pencap-- I have several other shrapnel letter openers currently posted!
Scott
Thanks again bones!
scott
Thanks for looking petey and gatekeeper.
Scott