Made by Sapper Mal Jacobs, this cigarette lighter is crafted from a silver .50 calibre cannon shell. It has engraved palm leaves encircling the top of the lighter, with a knurled grip to aid the separation of the top and bottom of the lighter. The top of the lighter is encircled by the identical engraved palm leaves. It has extraordinary detail and is a fine example of "trench art" from WW2.
Use
Trench Art is a misleading term given today to a wide variety of decorative items, sometimes also functional, produced during or soon after the First World War (though the term is also applied to products of both earlier and more recent wars).
They were made in all the countries engaged in combat. Ashtrays, matchbox holders, letter knives, model tanks and planes are typically found. Often they are re-purpose lead bullets, brass recovered from spent charge cases, and copper from shell driving bands, although carved wooden and bone pieces, and embroideries are also seen.
However, few examples were fashioned literally in the trenches. Nor were all made by soldiers.