French, WW1 - dated 15 May 1914, Trench Art 37mm Hotchkiss Shell Case with Inert Projectile, Engraved  “Arras”

An attractive First World War period trench art display piece comprising an ornately engraved French brass 37mm Hotchkiss shell case fitted with a separate inert steel projectile, both inscribed “ARRAS.” The shell case has been extensively hand-engraved with foliate scrollwork, floral motifs, and a crowned heraldic shield, transforming a military ordnance component into a decorative commemorative souvenir associated with the Western Front city of Arras.

The shell case retains a rich aged brass patina throughout and displays detailed hand-worked engraving typical of wartime and immediate post-war trench art craftsmanship. One side features a crowned heraldic escutcheon framed within scrolling ornament above the engraved place name “ARRAS,” while the opposing side carries a stylised floral spray with ribbon and leaf decoration. Around the upper neck is a repeating engraved border of leaves and cross motifs.

The accompanying projectile retains its original darkened steel body with copper driving bands intact and remains removable from the shell case. The body itself is engraved “ARRAS,” matching the commemorative theme of the piece. The fuse assembly has been removed, leaving the threaded nose aperture visible. The projectile is entirely inert and empty.

The underside of the shell case retains several clear French ordnance markings including “T-C.37” and “Mx Cin 15 5 14,” together with a flaming grenade acceptance stamp, circled “P,” and letter “U.” These markings follow the characteristic French cross-axis artillery headstamp system in which multiple factories and contractors involved in the production process applied their respective identifiers.

The “T-C.37” marking identifies the raw brass sheet supplier as Compagnie Française des Métaux (Castelsarrasin) together with the Cartoucherie de Toulouse finishing and assembly facility, while also denoting the 37mm Hotchkiss system case specifications rather than a 1937 rework date as sometimes incorrectly assumed. The lower marking “Mx Cin 15 5 14” records manufacture lineage associated with the Manufacture de Forges et Ateliers de l’Indre (Ciron-related contractor production), dated 15th May 1914, placing production only months before the outbreak of the First World War.

Approx. Measurements – Total height: 29.7 cm. Shell case: 20.2 cm tall with 5.8 cm base diameter. Projectile: 11.9 cm tall with approx. 3.5 cm base diameter.

History Note:
The French 37mm Hotchkiss gun became one of the most widely used light artillery and infantry support weapons of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During the First World War, 37mm ammunition was extensively employed in trench warfare roles, anti-machine-gun operations, naval service, and fortress defence, including use aboard armoured vehicles such as the Renault FT tank and in Hotchkiss infantry gun configurations. Arras, located in northern France, became one of the most fiercely contested sectors of the Western Front, witnessing repeated artillery bombardments and major offensives throughout the war. Trench art objects fashioned from spent shell cases and battlefield ordnance became enduring personal souvenirs, often created by soldiers, veterans, or civilians seeking to preserve memories of wartime service and survival.

*Condition*
Overall good display condition for age. Brass shell case retains attractive aged patina with handling wear, surface scratches, minor dents, and areas of tarnishing throughout. Vertical split present to the upper neck section, typical of period 37mm Hotchkiss brass cases. Engraved decoration remains crisp and well defined. Projectile retains oxidised steel finish with expected wear, light surface corrosion, and removed fuse assembly. Both shell case and projectile appear inert and empty. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.