{"product_id":"original-imperial-german-wwi-weltkrieg-1914-1916-trench-art-machete-with-shrapnel-shell-fragment-handleoriginal-imperial-german-wwi-weltkrieg-1914-1916-trench-art-machete-with-shrapnel-shell-fragment-handle","title":"Original Imperial German WWI “Weltkrieg 1914-1916” Trench Art Machete with Shrapnel Shell Fragment HandleOriginal Imperial German WWI “Weltkrieg 1914-1916” Trench Art Machete with Shrapnel Shell Fragment Handle","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal 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 \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eFrench Croix de Guerre\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, with the text surrounding it:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWELT KRIEG\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e1914 - 1916\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEdged 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45465666879557,"sku":"ONSV26CC310","price":450.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/53C591CF-191E-4DDA-A5D0-7186D073A302.jpg?v=1785792013","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-imperial-german-wwi-weltkrieg-1914-1916-trench-art-machete-with-shrapnel-shell-fragment-handleoriginal-imperial-german-wwi-weltkrieg-1914-1916-trench-art-machete-with-shrapnel-shell-fragment-handle","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}