*British, 1925-WW2, HMS X1, Original Postcard and Trench Art Submarine on Cribbage Board, Bullet Dated 1944*
An antique cribbage board with a trench art submarine and accompanied by an original postcard of the HMS XI Submarine. This postcard originally formed part of the Lou Britton British Submarine Collection, which was acquired by the Royal Navy Submarine Museum, Gosport in 2007.
Approximate Measurements:
Cribbage Board: 16.5cm x 7.2cm x 2.8cm
Submarine: 15.5cm x 4.2cm tall x 1cm wide
Postcard: 19.5cm x 10.5cm
Postcard marked: On front in pen: “Completed 1925. Six 21″ Bow-Tubes. 2 Tin Turrets – 5.2.” X.I.” Printed on reverse: “HM Submarine X1. Completed 1925. 3050/3585 tons. Six 21″ bow tubes. Two twin 5.2.” turrets. Copyright Royal Navy Submarine Museum.”
An English, wooden and brass Cribbage scoreboard with pin storage, it is ornamented with a trench art submarine made from two inert rifle cases. The head-stamp is dated 1944. Attractive portable gaming board, with appealing brass finish displays a desirable aged patina and in good original order. Score board features 120 peg holes for scoring. Sliding cover to the base for storage of the pegs. Raised upon a rectangular wooden base.
The submarines’ unusual twin turret design suggest it could be modelled on the Submarine HMS XI. HM Submarine X1, was a British interwar submarine, and at her 1925 commissioning was the world’s largest submarine. Designed as a submersible commerce raider, her construction followed World War I, despite the 1922 Washington Naval Treaty forbidding attacks on merchant ships. Secrecy surrounded her purpose, and the government seized newspapers over photos of her launch.
Equipped with four 5.2-inch guns in twin turrets and six torpedo tubes, X1 had advanced diving capabilities but suffered from unreliable engines, cramped accommodations, and poor ventilation. After a short, troubled career marked by frequent mechanical issues, she was placed in reserve by 1930 and scrapped in 1936.
*Condition*
The submarine cribbage board is a wonderful piece of WW2 history. It is in very good used condition with minor scratches and signs of wear and tear commensurate with age and service. The postcard that may have inspired it is in good used condition. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
RQMAEOXBBO_4637191940
