Original German WWI “Trench Art” Ashtray with M16 Stahlhelm & M1898/05 Butcher Bayonet - Hindenburg Cross - Assembled Post-WWII

Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. 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.

This is a very interesting piece of trench art likely put together after World War II. The piece is made to be an ashtray, and consists of a relic M1916 Stahlhelm as the base, with a relic M1898/05 “Butcher” Bayonet welded to the crown. On the side of the grip of the bayonet is an attached Hindenburg Cross (Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918), which was authorized in 1934. Inserted into the pommel of the bayonet is a Gewehr 98 Bayonet lug, which is welded to a small metal bowl. Inside the bowl is a small matchbox holder with the badge of the 16th Waikato Regiment, a New Zealand regiment that fought heavily during World War I. 

The ashtray measures roughly 30” tall and the small bowl on top is a bit dented up. The helmet base shows heavy wear and denting, some of which might be wartime damage. This was likely put-together by a relic hunter after the war, or possibly for a veteran later in life with the relics he brought home.

A very interesting piece of trench art, ready for further research and display.