Prussia Trench Art, shell driving band.

[Jock Auld]

Guys,

 

Not sure where this belongs but my pictures do it no justice.  It is a simple piece but it fits together flawlessly when closed and the catch etc, the workmanship is outstanding, I bet this bloke was really good with gold never mind brass and copper!  Sadly the security chain is missing but I may have it fixed if not too expensive.

[IrishGunner]

That is such a great piece!  Something simple evokes interesting memories.  Following the Russian defeat at Tannenberg in August 1914, combat on the Russian front focused on the First (Sept 1914) and Second (Feb 1915) Battles of the Masurian Lakes.  Today is the 100th Anniversary of the conclusion of the Second Battle on 22 Feb 1915.  Lötzen sits right in the middle of the battlefields.  The Masurian Lakes are quite beautiful in summer, but the area is known as being among the coldest spots in Poland during the winter.  The winter of 1915 was particularly rough with the battle being fought in blizzard conditions at times.

 

 

This is only a guess, but to be a bracelet I would think this is a rotating band from a 75mm shell.  It has the right look.  Prior to the outbreak of the war, Lötzen was the site of Festung Boyen and was the garrison of part of 2. Masurisches Feld-Artillerie-Regt. Nr.82 and part of Fußartillerie-Regt. von Linger (Ostpreußisches) Nr.1

Edited February 22, 2015 by IrishGunner

[Jock Auld]

IG,

 

I knew you would like it just for what it is made from, like me too.  I had no idea of the location or history so thank you for he detail.  It meant something to someone as it has survived.  Sold by a lady that deals in 'tacky' costume jewllery, must have come out of some old dears jewllery box.