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Paris Gun Shell Fragment?

MikeS0000

Well-Known Member
Gentlemen....

I picked up another quite odd item. It is an old paperweight with a piece of shell fragment on it. Marble base and silver 'inscription' plate in the front. The inscription on the plate is:
"THIS IS A FRAGMENT OF A SHELL FROM THE LONG DISTANCE CANNON WHICH FELL ON MY APARTMENT, 51 AVENUE MARCEAU, AUGUST 5, 1918."

The plate is pretty grungy and the marble is chipped, but this fragment has a segment of rifling cast into the shell's steel.

Now, I may be whacky, but I believe the only artillery to shell Paris was the "Paris Gun." Also, the PG Shell had 'rifling' cast into the steel and also their were two copper bands. I'm sure there were other Trench Art pieces made out of shell fragments, but the cast rifling has my curiosity piqued! It was not sold as a PG fragment, but only as a shell fragment paperweight.

Hasn't arrived yet, but any thoughts on whether it may be the case that it is actually from the Paris Gun?, Also, has anyone ever seen anything similar? I have a small collection of these Trench Art paperweights and perhaps thousands of this type were made!

Of course it would be most interesting if it is actually a PG Fragment and a fun item to investigate!

Thanks!
- Mike
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