*British/Canadian, WW2 - 1944 Dated, 40mm Bofors Trench Art Shell Vase, PP/C Pedlar People Ltd. Canada – Far Eastern Dragon Engraving – Mounted Display Piece*
An attractive and unusual World War II trench art display piece created from an original 1944-dated 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft shell case, manufactured in Canada by The Pedlar People Ltd., Oshawa, Ontario. The shell was later hand-engraved with an elaborate East Asian dragon motif and mounted upon a shaped wooden display stand. The mouth of the case has been carefully flared in traditional trench-art fashion, transforming the military shell into a more decorative vase form and demonstrating additional craftsmanship beyond the engraved decoration itself. Retaining its original wartime markings while incorporating a distinctive Far Eastern artistic influence, the piece stands as both a decorative commemorative object and a tangible reminder of the wartime practice of repurposing military materials into works of art.
The shell case retains clear military markings to the base including "40 M/M III", "PP/C", "1944", Lot 86, and British/Commonwealth Broad Arrow ownership and inspection marks. The PP/C manufacturer code identifies The Pedlar People Ltd., one of several Canadian wartime firms re-tooled to support Allied ammunition production. Originally founded in the nineteenth century as a sheet metal and industrial products company, Pedlar converted sections of its manufacturing capability during WWII to produce military ordnance components, including shell cases for the highly successful 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft gun.
The original No.12 Mark III primer remains fitted and is marked "SL4B X 498B CY 6/44 12 III", indicating wartime production and assembly at Royal Ordnance Factory Chorley, Lancashire, in June 1944. The coding illustrates the complex Allied wartime supply chain, involving multiple contractors and inspection stages across the Commonwealth and wider Allied manufacturing network.
The hand-engraved decoration depicts a traditional Eastern dragon amongst stylised cloud forms in a distinctly Asian artistic style. Such decorative trench art frequently emerged in overseas service areas where soldiers or local craftsmen transformed expended shell cases into souvenirs and presentation pieces. The unusual dragon design may indicate creation or acquisition in the Far East theatre, where Bofors guns saw widespread use in Burma, India, Malaya, Singapore and wider Pacific operations.
Approx. Measurements – Shell height: 18.2 cm. Height including stand: 21 cm. Shell base diameter: 6 cm. Wooden stand diameter: approx. 12 cm.
History Note:
The 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft gun became one of the most effective and widely used Allied anti-aircraft weapons of World War II. Introduced by Sweden and adopted internationally, the weapon served with British, Canadian and Commonwealth forces across Europe, North Africa and the Far East. Trench art — the practice of converting military materials into decorative objects — remained popular throughout both World Wars, with brass shell cases particularly favoured for their durability and attractive form. Examples displaying Asian motifs are less commonly encountered and often suggest a Far Eastern service connection.
*Condition*
Displays good age and service character throughout with a pleasing brass patina. Dragon engraving remains sharp and decorative. Original primer retained. The wooden stand shows age-related shrinkage cracks, surface wear and minor marks from age and use. General handling marks and wear present throughout consistent with age and service history. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
JAQ#3177B0_2716242251
