Author Topic: Trench Art dip pen/pencil combo  (Read 1081 times)

Offline AAAndrew

  • Super Hero Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1022
  • Karma: 121
    • View Profile
    • The Steel Pen Blog
Trench Art dip pen/pencil combo
« on: June 11, 2018, 09:04:03 PM »
Trench Art is a term used for items made by soldiers during deployment using whatever materials are to hand. Brass casings are particularly prized in more modern times, but you can find these sometimes humble, sometimes extraordinary objects going back to probably the first armies to be sent anywhere.

WWI was a particularly rich time for Trench Art and the war with its long periods of waiting around in trenches gave both ample opportunity for creation, as well as the term itself.

I recently was able to acquire a piece of trench art where some unknown soldier used two bullets and from them created a double-ended pen/pencil combo, like a Traveler. (a particular design of pen and/or pencil where the writing tip can be turned inside the hollow handle to protect it during traveling). The two pens are engraved with small hatching and curves to cover the ground, as well as the words "Lorraine" and "1918" on one side, and a flower (Poppy?) as well as a leaf or other floral design on the back.

It's pretty amazing what these guys could do while sitting around being shelled, or waiting to be shelled.

Anyway, just thought I'd throw this out there in case some of you may find it interesting.

Andrew

Check out my steel pen history blog
https://thesteelpen.com/

Offline ChristenAllocco

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 108
  • Karma: 11
    • View Profile
    • Allocco Design and Crafts
Re: Trench Art dip pen/pencil combo
« Reply #1 on: June 12, 2018, 12:11:31 PM »
Wow! This is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Christen
Instagram

Offline AnasaziWrites

  • Super Hero Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 2402
  • Karma: 168
  • Ad astra, per aspera
    • View Profile
Re: Trench Art dip pen/pencil combo
« Reply #2 on: June 12, 2018, 01:18:37 PM »
Very nice.

Offline Sally Ellington

  • Junior Member
  • **
  • Posts: 60
  • Karma: 9
    • View Profile
Re: Trench Art dip pen/pencil combo
« Reply #3 on: June 14, 2018, 07:29:15 PM »
Love this! What a treasure.

Offline Mary_M

  • Junior Member
  • **
  • Posts: 77
  • Karma: 11
    • View Profile
Re: Trench Art dip pen/pencil combo
« Reply #4 on: June 17, 2018, 09:50:01 AM »
Truly amazing craftsmanship! And made from a bullet! You must have quite a collection...