CENTURY MILITARIA | World War One

World War One Selection

This is where you'll find an interesting collection of WW1 militaria. New items are added all the time so be sure to check back for the latest finds! Enquiries about anything always welcome, Offers/More pictures please just ask!

PLEASE NOTE: POSTAGE IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE FOR MAINLAND UK ONLY. FOR INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING PLEASE CONTACT FOR A QUOTE.

Please email me once you have made a purchase at:

dcevison@hotmail.co.uk

I will then confirm payment has been recieved and let you know when to expect your parcel to arrive!

WW1 German Zeppelin Tree Ornament Candy Box ------------SOLD----------------- An original German Empire Zeppelin Christmas Tree ornament/Candy box from around 1920s or earlier. A Patriotic Airship (Luftschiff) made from paper mache and plaster traditionally hung on trees for the Children (Kinder) to celebrate the success of the zeppelin during the Great War. This ornament measures 11.5cm long with a height of 4.5cm including the double cabins underneath. Hand crafted, and hand painted. Remove the end cap and find a hollow box to place candy treats for the children! Additionally provided with tied string to each end so it can be hung and displayed. Basic colour is silver with embossed black ZEPPELIN down one side. A solid strong item with some weight to it compared to glass decorations, no chips or cracks, ready to hang. These tree decorations were also sent to soldiers at the front to have a nice memory of home where their wife and family were longingly awaiting their return.

		Large German WW1 Trench Art Shrapnel Letter Opener ''VOGESEN''

German WW1 1914 Pendant Coin with Iron Cross An original work of German Trench Art. Small 1 Pfennig coin dated 1914. Showing some amazing break-through work to create a small Iron Cross. The EK has been enameled in black. picture shows both sides. Made into a pendant with hanging loop to the top. Very small intricate workmanship. Details on measurement to come soon. £68.00		German Imperial WW1 Trench Art wooden Eagle Desk Stand ---------------SOLD----------

An original WW1 British Letter Opener Dated Armistice Day 11.11.18 -------------SOLD---------------- Made by a British soldier serving in France during WW1. This letter opener is from a French bullet casing dated 1913 on the base, and a section of brass shell casing for the blade. Engraved on the rear of the blade are the words: 'Souvenier France 1918'. On the front 'MOTHER 11. 11. 18' Made and engraved ON Armistice Day. Perfectly placed inside a display box within satin, and a silk lined lid. The Victory Medal Ribbon runs diagonally across the lid itself showing the colours of two rainbows with red at the center. A Salvation Army charity paper pin badge of the time also sits next to the Armistice day letter opener.		A Polish Trench Art letter opener made by a P.O.W In Gdansk 1915 An exceptional work of trench art made by a prisoner of war held at the coastal town of Troyl in Gdansk, Poland (German for Gdansk is Danzig). Made from one single steel coffin nail that ha ---------------SOLD--------------- An exceptional work of trench art made by a prisoner of war held at the coastal town of Troyl in Gdansk, Poland (German for Gdansk is Danzig). Made from one single steel coffin nail that has been skillfully flattened and curved like a Scimitar sword. The engraving across the blade reads : Kriegsgefangenen lager, Danzig, Troyl 1914-1915 (Prisoner of war camp, Gdansk, Troyl 1914-1915). The camp in Troyl consisted of barges moored on the bank of the Vistula river, each containing from 100 - 500 men. The admin block, kitchen and other facilities of the camp were on shore.

A First World War trench art Letter Opener made by a French soldier c1916 --------------SOLD------------------ Made from a copper firing ring that would have been wrapped around a projectile to guide its flight and spin through the barrel of a cannon. On the front of the blade is etched the word 'Verdun'. On the reverse is engraved 'Côte 304' (Hill 304), which was used as a French artillery strongpoint during the battle of Verdun. The handle of the letter opener has a skillfully entwined stem forming an Oak leaf at the end. The battle of Verdun is considered the greatest and lengthiest in world history. Never before or since has there been such a lengthy battle, involving so many men, situated on such a tiny piece of land. The battle which lasted from the 21st of February 1916, until the 19th of December 1916 caused an estimated 700,000 dead, wounded or missing. The battlefield was not even a square ten kilometers.		Stunning Unique German Trench Art Letter Opener Museum Showpiece Luttich 1914 A unique work of German trench art made during The Great war dated 1916 Attributed to the very first major battle of World War One! A stunning letter opener made by a German soldier in 1916, from one solid piece of exploded shrapnel, to honour the opening engagement of the German invasion of Belgium, and the first major battle of World War One. The blade is double edged and chromed both sides with the wording 'Fort Loncin / Lüttich 1914-16' etched along the face. Lüttich is the German name for the city of Liège in Belgium, and Fort Loncin is one of 12 Fortifications completed in 1891 surrounding the city of Liège. The handle of the opener has been left as the original exploded shell, with a contrast of delicate flourishing swirls and patterns sculpted into the blade from the hilt. The main feature being an exceptional engraving of a WW1 German soldier on guard at the center. Displayed in a purpose made deep blue velvet and silk lined case. Accompanied by an original and unused patriotic postcard of the time, 'Erstürmung der Festung Lüttich' (Storming of the Liège fortress). All professionally displayed in a black shadow box frame with an informative artifact presentation label placed below. The purpose made display case inside, is held in place by corner protectors and not glued, so can be easily removed and the artifact examined. This is the largest letter opener I have ever seen over many years. Measurements and further pictures to follow soon. The battle of Liège ( Lüttich ) 5th August 1914 The summer of 1914 saw much diplomatic and military activity as the result of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (The crown prince of Austria) by a Serbian-backed terrorist. Austria-Hungary, with German encouragement, declared war on Serbia on 28 July. Russia's support of Serbia brought France into the conflict. Germany then declared war on Russia August 1st and France August 3rd. On August 4th 1914, the German troops marched on France and the route they took went through Belgium. Since Britain had agreed to maintain the neutrality of Belgium, they immediately declared war on Germany. On August 5th 1914, the German army launches its assault on the city of Liege in Belgium, violating the latter country's neutrality and beginning the first battle of World War 1. The forts at Liège were built in a 6-12 km radius around the City in 1891, they were designed in such a way to overlap each others protective zone of fire. Fort Loncin was made entirely of concrete, however the concrete was not reinforced as this was a building material still in its experimental stage in the late 1800s. This was part of its downfall as on the 15th of August 1915 the German 42cm naval cannon nicknamed "Big Bertha" completely destroyed the heart of the fort with one 16.5 inch projectile, hitting one of its two magazines holding 12 tons of explosives. Killing 350 of the 550-man garrison. The battle of Liège began on August 5th and lasted until August 16th. Fort Loncin was one of the last forts to suffer bombardment and the only fort that did not surrender. Many of the dead remain buried in the fort to this day and the site is now a military cemetery as well as a museum. £5,000.00

A Russian First World War solid Silver trench art coin bracelet C1914-1916 --------------SOLD----------------- A stunning unique bracelet made of solid silver Kopek Russian coins linked together with a clasp at the end. The coins date from 1905 (The start of the Russian revolution) to 1914 (The start of World War One). The central coin is the largest with a denomination of of 20 Kopeks, this coin has been skillfully cut through around the edge of the double headed Eagle crest, this is called break-through work and is an amazing intricate piece of craftmanship. The Eagle crest is found on the reverse of nearly all Kopek and Ruble coins. A single droplet leaf hangs from the central coin with four other leaves smelted on to the outer edge linking a smaller 15 Kopek coin, then onto two even smaller 10 Kopek coins either side. A remarkable work of trench art by one soldier, made for a loved one back home.		Large JOBLOT of German WW1 + WW2 Feldpost Letters Fieldpost in Folder ----------------SOLD--------------

German 2nd Prize Shooting 85 Inf Division Brass Engraved Case Dated 1917 -------------SOLD---------------		German WW1 Carved Eagle Desk Stand Inkwell POW Abbeville 1918-19 Trench Art WK1 An exceptional work of trench art made by German P.O.W during The Great War Purchased many years ago & used as a display item for works of trench art I have sold over the years as shown in a few pictures (please note - the letter openers/medals on the stand are not included) The lower front of the stand base carved in such a way to represent the copper firing ring of a projectile, of which many trench art items incorporate and are made from. Inkwells carved as tree stumps either side open on a rear hinge. A curved pen or letter opener tray at the front with the skillfully carved proud Iconic Eagle standing on a rock behind with wings fully open. The reverse has a central chromed metal plaque that states: Vizefeldw Paul Hinz Abbeville 1918 - 1919 I have removed the plaque in the past and to my surprise the back is engraved with P.O.W. 104297 This shows that Officer Paul Hinz was a prisoner after the Great War and most definitely fought in the famous '100 Day Offensive', probably taking part in the Battle of St Quentin Canal. The Hundred Days Offensive (8 August to 11 November 1918) was a series of massive Allied offensives which ended the First World War. Beginning with the Battle of Amiens (8–12 August) on the Western Front, the Allies pushed the Central Powers back, undoing their gains from the German spring offensive. The Germans retreated to the Hindenburg Line, but the Allies broke through the line with a series of victories, starting with the Battle of St Quentin Canal on 29 September. The offensive, together with a revolution breaking out in Germany, led to the Armistice of 11 November 1918 which ended the war with an Allied victory. The term "Hundred Days Offensive" does not refer to a battle or strategy, but rather the rapid series of Allied victories against which the German Army had no reply. Overall a unique, intricately carved work of trench art in great condition, some small scuffs, marks and patina on the plaque. Measuring 33cm width x 13.8 depth x 15cm high. A lovely desk top statement. Ideal for Museum or serious collectors. £695.00