{"product_id":"wwi-st-miguel-trench-art-cross-w-decorated-cartridge-handle","title":"WWI St. Miguel Trench Art Cross w\/ Decorated Cartridge Handle","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUnusual and evocative \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWorld War I trench-art souvenir associated with St. Mihiel, France\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, handmade from repurposed military materials and fashioned in the form of a stylized cross.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe piece features a substantial brass cartridge\/projectile-form handle decorated with an applied \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecrown device\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e on the body and a detailed \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eflaming grenade emblem\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e on the base. Attached to the cartridge is a large flat metal cross with a broad, elongated lower section, short transverse arms and a smaller upper projection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe face of the cross is embellished with a hand-punched decorative border and prominently inscribed:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“ST MIHIEL”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe inscription refers to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSaint-Mihiel, France\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the location of the famous September 1918 St. Mihiel Offensive. The battle was one of the major American operations of World War I and became an important location in the history of the American Expeditionary Forces.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cross form gives the piece a particularly poignant character and may have been intended as a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecommemorative or memorial souvenir\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e of the St. Mihiel campaign. The use of military cartridge components, hand-cut metal and punched decoration is characteristic of the broad class of WWI souvenirs now collected as trench art.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe exact maker and circumstances of manufacture are unknown, and we therefore do not claim that the piece was literally manufactured in a frontline trench. It nevertheless represents a fascinating example of period military souvenir craftsmanship with a clearly identified WWI location.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe piece remains in attractive \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003euntouched condition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, displaying an aged brass patina, oxidation, discoloration, scratches and handling wear consistent with age. We recommend leaving the piece unpolished to preserve its historical character.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn excellent addition to a collection of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWWI trench art, AEF memorabilia, St. Mihiel material, battlefield souvenirs or military folk art.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whiskey Rebellion Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43412098056269,"sku":null,"price":300.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0610\/9229\/8829\/files\/889EBD4E-BC80-4306-A990-1FD50ADC8712.jpg?v=1786223580","url":"https:\/\/whiskeyrebellionantiques.com\/products\/wwi-st-miguel-trench-art-cross-w-decorated-cartridge-handle","provider":"Whiskey Rebellion Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}