85mm Shell Casing

[JChambers]

I recently found some shell casing art in Poland!!! It appears that the item very well may have been hand pounded out in a consentration camp somewhere around "Stary Sacz". It has some markings at the base of the shell casing, definately from 1913, 85mm, It appears to maybe have an Eagle Crest on it, but unfortunately it has been rubbed down quite a bit. I'm thinking that it is Austrian, but looking for further help in a positive ID. Any help would be appreciated, I will post pictures in the am as my camera is at my fiance's house.

 

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[JChambers]

Here they are, sorry the quality isn't that great but hopefully it's enough to get some help, anything would be appreciated...

 

[Cannonman17]

That is some of the best trench art I have ever seen-

 

[ivan salis]

very nice imdeed -- war is the serpent -- in the garden of eden

 

[RETREAD]

It is a lovely object. I feel it may have been manufactured as part of a rehabilitation program for wounded soldiers. It is too finely made to have been made in a dugout. RETREAD

 

[Cannonman17]

You could be right but I would point out that trench art is a broad term, it doesn't cover only objects that were litterally made in the trenches. It really covers all the trinkets and items made by soldiers in their "down time" whether that be in a hospital, a rear staging area, or the front line trenches. Regardless... this piece IMO is just fantastic- I would like to see a pic of the other side as well.

 

[Montana Jim]

The 8cm M5 marking is Austrian - Right?

 

[JChambers]

I personally found it to be Austrian, but the Soviets/Russians also used a similar one, but I can't find any photos, or info on them. I appreciate hearing from you guys. I've never seen any trench art this detailed before...I love this piece and there are plenty of other war artifacts where this came from. I plan on returning to Poland in the spring of this year and looking for much more. Does anyone believe that maybe this was crafted at a concentration camp? Or, ofcourse it could be from the Balkan war or WW1 I just wish I could find out more on the origins of the shell or when and where it could have been used just to verify it. Again, any help is greatly appreciated. How much are pieces like this worth?

JChambers

 

[Cannonman17]

I seriously doubt that it was made in a concentration camp. My GUESS would be circa 1914-1918. As for value.... let me make a disclaimer here first, I am no expert and whatever I say should be taken with a GIANT grain of salt. I would say... $250-$500 to a collector?

 

[treasure-prospector]

100% Austrian.....

http://www.moesslang.net/8cm_m5_feldkanone.htm < unluckily in German......

 

[DCMatt]

Check this link. It has pics of a shell like yours. Circa WWI Austro-Hungarian Army field cannon shell. It is in Dutch, but click on the pic to see more. Markings are almost the same as yours except the year. Apparently, this type of cannon/shell was used extensively across Europe.

http://www.marktplaats.nl/index.php...a/133074892-huls-oostenrijks-8cm-m5-1914.html

DCMatt

 

[Idig4beer]

That is a fine piece of work on the shell casing.But looking at it,I don't think the art work is part of the complete shell.Where the firing primer was (in the center) it looks like it has been filled with hot brass,therefore ,maybe the end of the casing was attached to a mold of the art work made of brass.Back in those days I don't think those guys had time in the trenches to make such a beautiful piece. They where up to their butt in mud, bullets, and mustard gas. This is just my guess. Idig

 

[Angelo]

Here's some trench art.

http://www.bcx-iii.com/art.htm

Tony