Original U.S. WWII Pair of Trench Art Bomblets Made from Japanese Type 88 Fuses - Dated 1939

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 pair of trench art “bomblets” made by G.I.’s from Japanese Type 88 fuses. Both examples still retain their dates, 8 四 十 昭 and 6 四 十 昭, for August & June 1939. These marking is written right to left, and would be read: SHOWA (current reigning emperor) Juu-Roku Nen (14th year of reign - 1939) 8th & 6th months (August & June).

One of the two is missing its fins, but both are in lovely overall condition. The one with fins measures 5” long and the other is 4” long.

Comes ready for further research and display!