Germany, Imperial. A First World War Trench Art Letter Opener Hold silver and gold

silver and gold

embossed inscription on reverse slightly worn

The cap features bands of red piping fully surrounding the crown

the reverse inscribed “Der Tapferkeit” (German - For Bravery) within a wreath consisting of oak and laurel leaves

on its very lightly soiled original ribbon with pinback

Germany, Imperial. A First World War Trench Art Letter Opener Hold silver and gold(Grabenkunst Briefffner). A unique First World War trench art letter opener, constructed of bronze retrieved from a munitions shell, featuring a ribbed handle and Iron Cross centrepiece connecting to a tapering blade with a sharpened tip and edges, unmarked, measuring 30 mm (w) x 220 mm (l), the tip has been slightly blunted and minor tarnishing is evident, in overall near extremely fine condition.