Original Canadian WWI Inert Ordnance QF 18-Pounder Artillery Round Trench Art Lamp – Functional Original Items

Original Item: One-Of-A-Kind. Trench art is any decorative item made by soldiers, prisoners of war, or civilians where the manufacture is directly linked to armed conflict or its consequences. It offers an insight not only to their feelings and emotions about the war, but also their surroundings and the materials they had available to them.

Not limited to the World Wars, the history of trench art spans conflicts from the Napoleonic Wars to the present day. Although the practice flourished during World War I, the term ‘trench art’ is also used to describe souvenirs manufactured by service personnel during World War II. Some items manufactured by soldiers, prisoners of war or civilians during earlier conflicts have been retrospectively described as trench art.

The shell is completely void of any explosive content and is in total compliance per the BATF standards on inert ordnance. This round cannot be converted back into a live device and is not available for export.

The lamp is fully functional with a replaced power cord and internal wiring for use in 21st century homes. The lamp itself is constructed out of an inert warhead on a commercial type base with a label stating that it’s Canadian made and “from the war 1914”. Offered in wonderful condition with minor surface rust on the nickel plated portions. The wood base is lovely but unfortunately there is a piece missing on the back with chips and cracking present.

The Ordnance QF 18-pounder, or simply 18-pounder gun, was the standard British Empire field gun of the First World War-era. It formed the backbone of the Royal Field Artillery during the war, and was produced in large numbers. It was used by British Forces in all the main theaters, and by British troops in Russia in 1919. Its caliber (84 mm) and shell weight were greater than those of the equivalent field guns in French (75 mm) and German (77 mm) service. It was generally horse drawn until mechanization in the 1930s.

The first versions were introduced in 1904. Later versions remained in service with British forces until early 1942. During the interwar period, the 18-pounder was developed into the early versions of the Ordnance QF 25-pounder, which would form the basis of the British artillery forces during and after the Second World War in much the same fashion as the 18-pounder had during the First.

A great example ready for further research and display.