Original U.S. WWII Japanese Type 88 Trench Art Bomblet on Base from Southwest Pacific - Dated 1941

Original Items: Only One Set Available. 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.

All ammunition and field gun rounds are totally inert in this lot and cannot be rendered live again. They are in compliance per the current BATF standards on inert ordnance ownership.

Not Available For Export

This is a lovely mounted trench art bomblet made by a G.I. from a Japanese Type 88 Fuze. The soldier added a fake tail fin section to make the fuze appear more like an unexploded bomb. The fuze is stamped on one side with its designation and on the other side with a date, 6 六 十 昭. This marking is written right to left, and would be read: SHOWA (current reigning emperor) Juu-Roku Nen (16th year of reign - 1941) 6th Month (June).

The wooden base has a small plaque reading RUTH / SOUTHWEST PACIFIC. Ruth was likely the sweetheart of the soldier who made this for her. The base measures 3 x 3” and the set is 5½” tall.

Comes ready for further research and display!