WW1 German 7.7cm FK96 n.A. Trench Art Tobacco Pot – 1917 Dated Shell Case with 1916 Shell Base Lid

An original and highly attractive WW1 German trench art tobacco pot, crafted from a 7.7cm Feldkanone 96 neuer Art (FK96 n.A.) brass shell case dated November 1917, complete with a matching lid fashioned from the base of another German shell case dated February 1916.

This is a fine example of wartime and post-war trench art, transforming military ordnance into a practical and decorative personal item. The tobacco pot retains its period character and serves as an excellent display piece from the Great War era.

Item Details:
Item: Trench art tobacco pot with lid
Origin: German Empire
Shell Case Type: 7.7cm FK96 n.A. field gun case
Main Case Date: November 1917
Lid Date: February 1916
Material: Brass
Construction: Tobacco jar formed from a shell case with fitted shell-base lid
Period: First World War / immediate post-war period
Condition: Good original condition with age-related wear, patina, and signs of use consistent with age
Historical Context

The 7.7cm FK96 n.A. was Germany’s standard field gun for much of the First World War and saw extensive service on the Western Front. Introduced as an improved version of the earlier FK96, it became one of the principal artillery pieces of the Imperial German Army.

Trench art items such as tobacco jars, vases, and decorative containers were often produced from spent shell cases by soldiers, prisoners of war, or civilians. These objects transformed the material remnants of war into personal keepsakes and decorative household items. Examples of shell-case tobacco pots are well-known within trench art collecting circles.

The combination of a November 1917-dated shell case and a February 1916-dated shell-base lid creates an especially interesting and visually appealing piece.

Collectability
Original WW1 German trench art
Constructed from a genuine 7.7cm FK96 n.A. shell case
Clear wartime dates: November 1917 and February 1916
Complete with matching fitted lid
Excellent example of functional trench art
Highly desirable for collectors of:
WW1 militaria
German Imperial Army artefacts
Trench art
Artillery and ordnance collectables
Display

An attractive display item suitable for:

Great War collections
Trench art displays
Military history cabinets
Study, office, or museum presentation