Description:

GERMAN SHRAPNEL TRENCH ART FROM FORT DE LONCIN
A very fine piece of World War I German trench art, a 9.5 in. piece of1 ragged shrapnel forged into a letter opener. Although a rather common practice during the war, this specimen is special - it bears a German Cross mid-length, with the blade carefully engraved: 'Fort Loncin Luttich 1914/15' Some oxidation at center, else very good. The Fort de Loncin was one of twelve forts built around Liege, Belgium, in the late 19th century. The fort was destroyed during World War I in the Battle of Liège, when the fort's magazine was hit by a large-caliber German shell, killing most of the fort's occupants. The event marked the debut of the 'Big Bertha' howitzer in combat. Relatively few of the dead were recovered; the site is now a military cemetery. The fort was never reused. "Luttich' is the German name for Liege. Perhaps this shrapnel was part of one of the 'Big Bertha' shells...a great relic.

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August 15, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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