Posted 12 years ago
scottvez
(977 items)
This shell base is constructed from a 1944 105mm shell. Shell brass was used for cigarette rests.
DUIs from the 4th AR Division adorn the sides. I don't recall the subordinate units for these DUI.
The 4th AR fought in the European theater. They were a key element in the fighting of Operation Cobra, Battle of the Bulge and the Battle of Arracourt.
Reproduction of these images in any form is prohibited.
scott
Thanks david.
scott
Thanks for looking official.
scott
Thanks for looking vetraio and p...!
scott
Thanks again petey!
scott
Hi Scott,
I'm interested to learn more about your items.
The 4th AR division, where were they from?
And the emblems on the ashtrays, have you done any research on them?
I'm gathering these weren't army issue as ashtrays, more probably food cans and converted. Have you found out?
My mother worked in a munitions factory and I've been interested since I studied for a semester at uni as a non core subject, WWII history under Professor David Cuthbert.
I didn't think there was still a lot of collecting going on but obviously there is....
Look forward to your reply...
I see you speak of she'll brass, so sorry I didn't read that properly.
Is photo 3 the Nazi Irln Cross, I don't have my glasses on."stupid me...
Thanks for looking anne!
The 4th Armored Division was a US Army Division from WW2.
The ashtray is a souvenir item made from an expended artillery shell. It was cut down and had the cigarette rests added along with unit insignia. The insignia on the side most likely belong to units that were in the 4th AR Division-- no iron crosses.
These pieces are known as trench art and are highly collected. The ash trays like this are an "entry level" trench art item-- they don't bring a great deal of money and are fairly readily available.
I have some more "advanced level" items posted here on CW. Take a look at my other postings to see some engraved mess kits, airplanes, etc...
scott
Anne-- here is a trench art ash tray with a B-17 attached to the top:
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/24431-ww2-b-17-flying-fortress-trench-art-ash
scott
Second photo Labope ET Honore 22nd Field Artillery
third photo EX HOC Victoria Signo 14th Field Artillery
Lol
That looks great.
Trench art...well I've heard of scrimshaw but not trench art. I know some diggers who put flowers in old artillery shells...
Gee tom tucker that third one looks like the German iron cross, although from memory the German one had a border around it...
Very interesting...
Thanks again anne. I'd call the symbol a "maltese cross"-- not sure of the origin or what it stands for in the unit insignia.
Here is a link to the definitive work on Trench Art:
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/82033-trench-art-an-illustrated-history-by-j
It is a great book-- most likely available at your local library and it will give you a good idea of the subject of "Trench Art".
scott