*Austria / Austro-Hungarian, WWI–Post-War Era, Trench Art Petrol Table Lighter & Ashtray, ENZ / Enzesfelder Metallwerk Artillery Case*
An unusual and visually striking trench art petrol table lighter and ashtray manufactured from repurposed brass artillery ammunition components, featuring a concealed lighter mechanism beneath a removable bullet-form cap. The central lighter body retains its original flint-wheel striker and wick assembly, surrounded by a circular ashtray dish formed from a cut-down artillery cartridge base.
The construction suggests a workshop or soldier-made trench art piece, transforming military ordnance into a practical domestic smoking accessory. The removable pointed cap gives the appearance of a standing projectile while concealing the lighter beneath, creating an attractive novelty design typical of wartime and immediate post-war souvenir manufacture.
The underside retains the factory stamp "ENZ", attributed to Enzesfelder Metallwerk of Austria, together with additional smaller markings below the primer area. While the measured 86 mm base diameter closely mirrors dimensions associated with French 75mm ammunition, the ENZ marking instead suggests an Austro-Hungarian artillery cartridge origin, likely representing an Austrian-manufactured counterpart rather than a French shell body.
Additional markings around the primer pocket appear to include stylised numerals or symbols resembling Eastern Arabic script, possibly reading forms similar to ٦ and ٢٧, or alternatively inspection and lot identifiers. If correctly interpreted, these may indicate later handling, refurbishment or surplus redistribution through an Ottoman successor state or Middle Eastern arsenal after the First World War. Due to wear and the extensive trench-art conversion, this interpretation remains tentative and cannot be guaranteed.
Approx. Measurements – Height: 13.5 cm. Base diameter: 8.6 cm.
History Note:
Trench art smoking accessories became highly popular during and after both World Wars, when surplus cartridge cases and shell components were transformed into decorative household objects. Brass artillery cases were particularly favoured due to their durability and attractive appearance. Lighters, ashtrays and desk ornaments were frequently produced by soldiers, military workshops and civilian craftsmen using surplus ordnance materials. The possibility of later Middle Eastern reissue or arsenal handling would add an additional layer of post-war service history to an already unusual piece.
*Condition*
Displays age-related wear, surface scratching, tarnishing and oxidation consistent with age and use. No primer. Flint wheel and wick assembly remain present beneath the removable cap. Untested and sold as a collectible display item. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
JAQ#3166BE_6841242271
