Trench art.

[Spiker]

Strange taste.

 

[Zebedeus]

No, I can't believe it. What a pity to ruin such a beautiful helmet like this.

 

[b.loree]

Oh no! So what is the brass container for...tobacco??

 

[Khukri]

Trophy helmet...?

 

[Spiker]

Oh no! So what is the brass container for...tobacco??

The cylinder is a shell case, to put…what in, cigars ?

 

[Peter B]

Sad to see the helmet ruined but it was probably made when they were readily available just after the war, or maybe during. Some Allied soldier probably made it and yes it could be one of many things. I picture it on a desk.

 

[Bobted]

I love these sorts of thing. Rob

 

[Spiker]

At least they didn't clean it too much.

 

[Westfront]

Yes indeed very nice patina

 

[Khukri]

Tombac, or tombak, is a brass alloy with high copper content (70%) and 5–20% zinc content. Tin, lead or arsenic may be added for colouration

 

[MAP]

Very cool. Looks like an ash tray to me. Perfect for my cigars! LoL

 

[MG1918]

Great item. Just wanted to inform our membership of a well known global auction site the multitude of modern fakes listed, particularly in my area of MG interest. Absolutely buyer beware where lots of original period items are used such as small arms cases, all conveniently dated and then a wonderful vickers or lewis trench art item is manufactured, often in Pakistan. The issue is all sold as original period but of course the seller claims 'original period items' then used to make the modern repro. Same applies to many WWI aircraft trench art items appearing. Forgive me if I am stating the obvious.

 

[MG1918]

 

[MG1918]

Now to find the rest of her!

 

[911car]

Strange taste.
View attachment 56866

And this was on the other side of the desk:

 

[911car]

I found this at a small non-militaria auction in the UK. Just two extra holes. And I paid for it what you would pay for the average granddad's paperweight.... sometimes you are lucky.