Original British WWII Royal Field Artillery Trench Art Lighter & Ashtray Lot

Original Items. One-of-a-Kind Set. Trench art is any decorative item made by soldiers, prisoners of war, or civilians where the manufacture is directly linked to armed conflict or its consequences. It offers an insight not only to their feelings and emotions about the war, but also their surroundings and the materials they had available to them.

Not limited to the World Wars, the history of trench art spans conflicts from the Napoleonic Wars to the present day. Although the practice flourished during World War I, the term 'trench art' is also used to describe souvenirs manufactured by service personnel during World War II. Some items manufactured by soldiers, prisoners of war or civilians during earlier conflicts have been retrospectively described as trench art.

Like all deactivated ordnance, this set is Not Available for Export.

This is a lovely set of trench art pieces put together for a soldier of the Royal Field Artillery during World War II. The set consists of two small ashtrays, both with a single cigarette stand, and a larger shell with a cover that was made to be a lighter.

The lighter is made from a 1942-dated 37mm M16 round, but we are unsure how the lighter is meant to be loaded with fluid. It measures 6¾” tall with the cover on. The top of the cover has a button for the RFA, with an RFA insignia attached to the side.

The two ashtrays are identical besides being mirrored, meant to display on both sides of the lighter. A great set which could be restored for use!

Comes ready for further research and display.