WW1 Trench Art Pair of Decorative Artillery Shells

WW1 British trench art pair of decorative artillery brass shells from the Ordnance QF 18-pounder gun.

Visual & Historical Breakdown

1. The Inscription: “YSER”

The most prominent feature is the banner reading YSER.

• The Location: This refers to the Yser River in West Flanders, Belgium.

• The Significance: This was the site of the Battle of the Yser in October 1914. Belgian and Allied forces famously flooded the area to stop the German advance. The Yser front became a symbol of Belgian resistance throughout the war.

2. The Heraldic Shield

The central shield is highly detailed and divided into two parts (impaled):

• Left Side: Features a sunburst or geometric pattern, likely representing a specific military unit or a stylized version of a regional crest.

• Right Side: Displays a Rampant Lion, which is the national symbol of Belgium (and also specifically the region of Flanders).

• The Crown: The shield is topped with a royal crown, indicating Belgian national or monarchist pride.

3. The Dates & Decor

• 1914 – 1918: These dates are embossed on banners at the base of the design, commemorating the entire duration of the Great War.

• Floral Motifs: The shield is framed by laurel leaves (victory) and oak leaves (strength), traditional military symbols.

• Repoussé Technique: This was created using a technique called repoussé and chasing, where the soldier hammered the brass from the inside of the shell casing to create a raised 3D design on the outside.

Primary Military Markings

• 18 PR: This identifies the caliber. It stands for 18-pounder, the most widely used British field gun of the Great War.

• II: The Roman numeral indicates the “Mark” or version of the shell casing design (Mark II).

• 1915 / 1916: These are the years of manufacture.

• CF: This stands for Cordite Full. It indicates the shell was filled with a full charge of cordite propellant.

• Broad Arrow (↑): You can see this small arrow symbol on several shells. It is the “King’s Mark” or War Department Arrow, signifying that the item was official British government property.

Manufacturer & Inspection Codes

• M.A.C.: Likely the manufacturer code. While many companies produced these, common makers included the Metropolitan Ammunition Company.

• J.C.: An inspector’s or manufacturer’s stamp.

• M.L.W.: Another manufacturer or facility code.

• Numbers like “17.1.10.15”: This is often a specific lot number or a precise date of inspection/assembly (e.g., October 15, 1915).

It is a beautiful commemorative piece that likely tells the story of a soldier who served in the “Yser Pocket”—the last small corner of Belgium that remained unoccupied during the war.