Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is an exceptional piece of WWI trench art constructed from a large fragment of an artillery projectile and fashioned into a substantial machete-like edged weapon. It measures roughly 19” long with a 14” blade. The blade is stamped with what looks like a depiction of the planchet of a French Croix de Guerre, with the text surrounding it:

WELT KRIEG
1914 - 1916

This denotes that it was likely made during 1916, in the middle of the war. The small crossguard middle section piece also has the same engraving of the Croix de Guerre, with a cartridge projectile halved and attached at the ricasso. The handle is a large chunk of an artillery shell body with part of a driving band. The entire knife looks to be made from a single artillery shell carved out and sanded down into a blade with the handle left intact.

The blade has an almost Bowie-like appearance, but it is more like a machete blade overall. It is 1 ⅞” wide at its widest point. The blade itself is 14” long.

The term “trench art” is used broadly for decorative and functional objects made from military materials in connection with war and its aftermath. Such pieces were produced by soldiers, prisoners of war, civilians, battlefield craftsmen, and later commercial workshops. WWI examples frequently incorporated shell cases, driving bands, bullets, projectile fragments, uniform fittings, and other readily available materials.

Edged objects and paper knives made from artillery components were a particularly recognizable form of WWI trench art. Their forms range from small letter openers to substantial knives and machetes, often decorated with national symbols, dates, place names, or references to particular campaigns.

The prominent WELT KRIEG / 1914–1916 inscription makes this an especially substantial example of WWI trench art. Its construction preserves the transformation of an artillery projectile fragment into a functional edged object and would be relevant to a collection focused on trench art, Imperial German material, battlefield souvenirs, artillery history, or the material culture of WWI.

Totally inert, cannot be converted to an explosive device, not available for export. This item is completely legal within the USA. International Military Antiques, Inc observes all Federal, State and Local laws. Everything for sale on ima-usa.com is completely legal to own, trade, transport and sell within the United States of America.

All deactivated ordnance sold by IMA, Inc is engineered to be inoperable according to guidelines provided by the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF).