Below Stairs of Hungerford Militaria & Trench Art

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All our stock is old, original, in excellent order and ready for use. We carry no modern or reproductions. We welcome your telephone calls +44 (0)1488 682317 or by email to hofgartner@belowstairs.co.uk for further information on any of the catalogue items or your other requirements or if you have any difficulties ordering through our system.

Online Catalogue > Militaria & Trench Art


	Large Brass Shell Case SC78 Original, quality, second world war, large, brass shell case; polished and lacquered and ideal as an umbrella stick stand or just for decoration. Stamped to the underside 'LOS BPD 1-4', '7 DM 60' and other marks. A great looker and in good order. Base 5.75" diameter and 24" tall. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £135.00


1914 - 1918 Decorated Shell Case SC77 Original, quality, 'trench art' decorated brass shell case, with a cut and turned over top rim and punch decoration detailing 'The Great War' and '1914 Ypres 1918', both in ribbon swag designs and with a male and female head within a plant form to the centre. Several punch marks to the underside, including '6 pr', 'Lot 5' and the WD crows feet mark. All has been polished and lacquered and is in good order. Well above average detailed engravings; an unusual example. Base diameter 3", 9" high and top diameter 3.75". Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £115.00


	Pair of 1st World War Decorated Brass Shell Cases SC75 A pair of original, quality, brass shell cases, 'trench art' decorated with shaped and cut top rims and punch engraved detail to the front of each, of leaves and flowers, and to one, 'Souvenir Loos 1914', and the other, ' Arras of The Great War Vimy Ridge 1919'. The undersides have many stamps and numbers, including '18 Pr', 'Lot B' and one has '1917' and the other '1918'. Both have been polished, lacquered and are complete and in good order. 11.25" high, 4" base diameter and 7" top diameter. Price is for the pair. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £156.00


1952 Brass Shell Case SC73 Original, quality, heavy, large cast brass shell case, polished and lacquered and with the original red paint to the inside top. Ideal as an umbrella stand, or just for decoration. Stamped to the underside '37 Gun, Mk 1, RW76, Lot 130, RLB & 1952'. One minor dent, but otherwise in super condition. Base 5.25" diameter, top 5.25" diameter and 26.5" high. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £115.00


	1942 Brass Shell Case SC68 Original, quality, brass, Second World War shellcase, impressed to the underside '2 pounds No. 2', 'Lot 610', and '1942'. Has been polished and lacquered and is in good order. Base 2.25" diameter and 11.75" high. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £25.00


Set of 3 1915 Trench Art Jugs SC66 Set of three original, quality, brass water jugs of graduated sizes fashioned from 1st World War German shell cases with handles constructed using bullet cases. Each jug has a pouring lip and an applied brass cap badge of the "Royal Engineers". The underside of each is stamped with various names and 1915 for the year. All are in good order and very unusual. Base diameter 3.5" x 5.5" wide including handle x 4.5", 5.5" x 7" tall. Price is for the set. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £285.00


	Pair of Trench Art Ashtrays SC64 Pair of original, quality, brass ashtrays fashioned from 1st world war shellcase nose cones with applied 'grenade' epaulette badges. The bases have been filled with plaster for counter weight and all has been polished and lacquered and is in good order. Base 2.5" diameter + 2" tall. Price is for the pair. Click on photo for a larger or other views. Price: £75.00


1917 Decorated Brass Shellcase SC62 Original, quality, trench art hand punch engraved and shaped, 1st World War, brass shellcase. The design incorporates an animal and two maple leaves over a waisted ribbing. The underside is impressed '1917', '6 pr' and other letters and numbers. All has been polished and lacquered and is in good order. Base 3" diameter. 10.25" tall. Click on photo for a larger and other views Price: £65.00


	1935 Trench Art Coal Helmet SC60 Original, quality, 1935, brass shellcase cut down and fashioned into a mini coal helmet with an added handle to the top and rear and a pair of legs to the front. The rear end has many impressed marks including '1935', '3pr' and 'RL'. Complete and in good order. 3.25" high, 2.75" wide and 3.5" front to back. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £45.00


Pair of 1916 Trench Art Coal Helmet Ornaments SC59 Pair of original, quality, First World War, punch engraved and decorated brass shell cases fashioned to resemble coal helmets. The end plates of the shell cases are stamped '18pr' and with a multiple of other numbers and references. The top of each is punch engraved 'La Bassee Jan 6th 1916' to one and 'Ypres Feb 15" 1916' to the other and the feet are 303 bullet heads. A super pair of well worked ornaments in great condition. Shell end plates 4" diameter, total 7" long and 5.5" high with handles up. Price is for the pair. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £230.00


	Pair of 1918 Decorated Brass Shell Cases SC57 Pair of original quality brass shell cases, each with applied cast brass Art Nouveau decoration to the front and a pair of side handles. Several stamps are apparent to the underside including '1918' '13 pr' and 'Lot 71 & 72'. The central firing cap sections have both been replaced. All has been polished and lacquered and are in good order. 12.25" tall, 3.5" base diameter and 7.5" wide. Price is for the pair. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £156.00


1917 Trench Art Shell Case SC55 Original quality, 1917, trench art decorated brass shell case with leaf designs and 'Amiens'. The top edge has been shaped and turned over and the underside has various markings including '1917'. All is complete and in good order. Base 3.5" diameter and 8" tall. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £65.00


	1917 Decorated Brass Shell Case SC52 Original quality, 1st World War, brass shell case beaten, shaped and decorated as 'Trench Art' with waisted ribs and 'TB' embossed within the decoration. Stamped to the underside 'DOPC', '18 PR II', '1917' and others. Complete and in good order. 4" diameter and 11.5" high. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £75.00


Pair of 1941 12" Brass Shell Cases SC51* Pair of original quality brass shell cases, stamped to the underside '2 Pr No 2', '1941' and other marks. Polished and lacquered and in super condition. 12" x 2.25" base diameter. Price is for the pair. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £45.00


	1917 Trench Art Decorated Brass Shell Case SC46 Original quality, 1st World War, brass shell case 'trench art' pierced with a shaped top rim and punch engraved details to the main body 'Souvenir of the Great War', '1914 -1919', 'Cambrai' and 'Arras'. Stamped to the underside '1917' and several other numbers. Complete and in good order. Base 3.5", 9" high and 3.75" top diameter. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £68.00


Pair of Brass Shell Case Vases SC41 Matching pair of original quality, 2nd World War, brass shell cases decorated with bands, side handles, an applied shield to each and turned over and milled top edges. Many stamp marks to the underside including '18 pr', '3/16', 'BSC'. Complete and in good order. 11" high, 4" base diameter and 5" widest. Price is for the pair. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £100.00


	Pair of Trench Art Brass Shell Cases SC34 Pair of original quality brass shell cases from the 1st World War, 1914 - 1918, later decorated with punched details incorporating a heart, flowers, leaves and '1920'. This pair are also very waisted to the lower half, not an easy task. Generally referred to as 'Trench Art' with many numbers and references to the underside, see picture. Have been polished and lacquered and all are in good order. 13.5" high x 3.5" base diameter. Price is for the pair. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £130.00


1897 Brass Cannister Shell SC30* Original quality British and Belgium 57mm brass cannister shell, originally containing shrapnel balls but now empty. Stamped to the underside '97' for the year 1897 and 'EP' for 'Ecole Pyrotechnice'. One old repaired split and some minor dents to the nose cone, otherwise in good order, polished and lacquered. A hard to find shell case. 16" x 2.75" base diameter. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £100.00


	Decorated Brass Shell Case SC20 Original quality, 15" tall, heavy brass shell case, probably 1st World War "1914 to 1918", with a "Trench Art" shaped top edge. Several minor dents to the sides, otherwise complete and in good order. No number stamp evident to the underside and probably fashioned for use as a fire iron stand or a vase. 15" tall x 3.5" base diameter. Click on photo for a larger view. Price: £50.00


Pair of 1915 Shell Cases SC7* Pair of original quality, 1st World War, brass shell cases with copper nose cones. The underside of the bases are marked '18pr', '1915', 'VSM' and others. Some minor dents to the copper, otherwise in good order, polished and lacquered. Price is for the pair. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £120.00


	Royal Scots Fusiliers Trophy M55 Original, top quality, superb silver plated trophy, with large side urn handles, a circular base and cushioned ribbed decoration to the lower half. Engraved to the front '1st Royal Scots Fusilier's, Best Aggregate of Sergeants for 1904, Won by Sergt. F. Tadd, H. Coy'. This trophy has retained its gilt inner lining and all is complete and in good order. A wonderful trophy in wonderful condition. Top diameter 5.5", total 11.25" high, 9" wide including handles and 5.5" front to back. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £300.00


Brass Button Stick M54 Original, quality, 1st World War brass button stick, as used to protect uniforms when polishing the brass buttons whilst still affixed. This example is stamped 'A, RBM, 17' and for the maunufacturer 'Smith and Wright, Birmingham'. Polished and with a small split to the end with the initials, otherwise complete and in good order. 8.25" x 1.75". Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £36.00


	Brass Button Stick M53 Original, quality, sheet brass, button stick as used to protect uniforms when polishing brass buttons whilst still affixed. This 1st World War example is stamped 'White's Patent 19370/12, Sole Manufacturer Jennens and Co Ltd, 56 Conduit Street London. W'. This hinged model is the first and best we have had to date; complete and in good and working order. 7.5" x 2". Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £65.00


Brass Button Stick M51 Original, quality sheet brass button stick as used to protect uniforms when polishing the brass buttons still affixed. This 1st World War example is stamped "Patent 116972/17" for the year 1917. Complete and in good order. 6.75" x 2.25" Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £36.00


	WW1 Death Plate M50 Original, quality black transfer on coffee brown ceramic plate, manufactured during and after the 1st World War (1914 to 1918) for relatives to purchase and fix a photograph of their loved ones lost in the war. Good detail to the front with 'England Expects That Every Man Will Do His Duty And ____ Did His', and to the reverse 'England' and impressed '9' over '16'. Complete and in good order. 10" x 1.25". Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £156.00


Pair of Leather Gauntlets M47* Pair of original, quality, near unused, gauntlet gloves presumably for the Calvary or Horse Guard's? These are in super condition, a light tan colour, and are stamped to the inside '9' for the size, '1944', 'WD316', 'N.F.S.65' and 'P.O.2' and also for the manufacturer 'Thos Ensor & Sons Makers Milborne Port'. Complete and in good order. 13.5" long and 6.5" widest at open end. Price is for the pair. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £56.00


	Civil Defence Corps Armband, several available M46 Original, quality unused, yellow cloth armband embroidered with 'Civil Defence Corps' beneath a crown and stamped to the reverse with the war department arrow mark and 'Lewis Falk Ltd 1954' for the manufacturer. In super condition, complete and in good order. 18" x 3.5". Price is for each. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £38.00


Civil Defence Armband - Ambulance, several available M45 Original, quality unused, yellow cloth armband embroidered with 'Civil Defence Corps Ambulance' beneath a crown and stamped to the reverse with the war department arrow mark and 'Lewis Falk Ltd 1954' for the manufacturer. In super condition, complete and in good order. 18" x 3.5". Price is for each. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £38.00


	Civil Defence Armband - Welfare, several available M44 Original, quality unused, yellow cloth armband embroidered with 'Civil Defence Corps Welfare' beneath a crown and stamped to the reverse with the war department arrow mark and 'Lewis Falk Ltd 1954' for the manufacturer. In super condition, complete and in good order. 18" x 3.5". Price is for each. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £38.00


Civil Defence Armband - Warden, several availble M43 Original, quality unused, yellow cloth armband embroidered with 'Civil Defence Corps Warden' beneath a crown and stamped to the reverse with the war department arrow mark and 'Lewis Falk Ltd 1954' for the manufacturer. In super condition, complete and in good order. 18" x 3.5". Price is for each. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £38.00


	1914 Princess Mary Brass Box M37 Original, quality pressed brass tin with embossed hinged lid bearing a cameo of Princess Mary, two 'M' monograms and panels around it with the names of countries allied to Great Britain in the 1st World War; Belgium, Japan, Russia, Monte Negro, Serria and France. Complete and in good order. These brass tins, containing a variety of items dependant on the recipient, were given to all British troops serving overseas for Christmas 1914. The funds for these were raised by Princess Mary, daughter of King George V. Most but not all of the tins were issued with a pack of cigarettes, a pack of tobacco, a Christmas card in an envelope, a printed photo. of Princess Mary and a silver tipped brass shell case with a pencil inside. All items were marked with the monogram 'M' with a crown over. This tin is without contents. 3.5" x 5" x 1.25". Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £56.00


Brass Matchbox Cover M36 Original, quality, 1920's, sheet brass matchbox cover mounted with a military epaulette badge. Although the cover is complete and in good order the badge is well rubbed and is barely visible but it may be a 'C' and a 'S' entwined with a crown above all on an eight sided star. 2.5" x 1.5" x 0.75". Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £34.00


	1st World War Trench Saw M30* Original quality hand chain saw in a leather wallet as issued to the British Troops in the trenches during the 1st World War, 1914 - 1918. These saws were used for cutting down shoring timbers for the trench walls. This example is complete, all original and has the pair of wooden handgrips, with brass ferrules, the sharpening file and the saw wrest for adjusting the teeth. The brass grips to the steel saw are stamped 'Francis Wood & Sons Sheffield 1917', the wrest 'Newey & Sons Ltd', the file 'Burys & Co Sheffield' and the case 'Finchmarch Bros 1916'. This example is the best we have seen, appears not to have been used and is in superb order. Case 7" x 6.5" x 1.5". Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £220.00


Set of 4 Mounted 2nd World War Medals M26 Set of four original medals issued for services during the 2nd World War, one standard issue service medal and the standard 1939 - 1945 Star, plus the Atlantic Star and the Burma Star. All professionaly mounted on to a board with a wide single breast pin. All is complete and in superb order. 5" x 4". Price is for the set. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £90.00


	Naval Hat Tin M18* Original quality shaped hat tin, circa 1910, originally for a solar topee, with most of the original paintwork to the inside and outside, although the finish is scratched and rubbed. The brass maker's plate is for 'Gieve, Matthews & Seagrove Ltd' and the other brass plate for the owner 'W.B.Calloway RN'. Included are several pages of information relating to Air Vice Marshall William Bertram Calloway CBE, AFC, DL. Complete and in good order. Base 16" x 11.75", 9.5" high. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £95.00


1952 Vacco Flask M13 Original quality very clean example of a food vacuum flask, complete with the glass liner, cork stopper, tin lid and 'Directions' for use to the outside. The original black exterior finish is in super condition, as is the 'Directions' label. Embossed to the underside 'Vacco', '1952' and with the war department's arrow mark. Complete and in good order. 10" x 5" diameter. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £34.00


	Sporting Trophy SG143 Original, quality, Britannia metal, urn shaped sporting trophy, with two side loop handles and floral decorations in relief. Engraved to the front 'Mononia Bazaar Fermoy 1910 Shooting Competition. Won by Cpl. McKennon 2nd D.L.I.'. Some old repairs and a good patina overall, and all is complete and in good order. 11.5" high, 9.5" wide and 6.25" front to back. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £156.00


Trench Art Matchbox Cover TA2 Original, quality, 1st World War, trench art decorated brass matchbox cover, punch engraved 'Ypres' to one side, 'Souvenir of Belgium' to the other and 'H Hooper' to the spine. Has been polished and lacquered and is in good order. 2.25" x 1.5" x 0.75". Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £38.00


	Trench Art RAF Brass Ashtray TA1 Original, quality 1930's, brass ashtray with a matchbox holder to the centre, all trench art worked from brass with punch engraved decoration to the base and 'RAF' and 'ADEN' to the sides of the match holder. Polished, lacquered and complete and in good order. 4.5" x 3" high. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £56.00


2 Horse Hoof Trimming Knives H34 Two original, quality, unused horse hoof trimming knives in steel, with animal bone handles. These were issued by the War Department, for use by the mounted army officers during World War 1, 1914 - 1918. Marked for the makers: left 'F. G. Pearson & Co, Sheffield' and 'Best Shear Steel 1914', right 'D. A. Argyle & Co, Sheffield' and 'Best Shear Steel 1915'. Complete and in good order. 7.25" x 1". Price is for each. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £45.00


	Tin Hat Box HB10 Original, quality, late 19th Century, oval shaped, tin hat box with a hinged lid to the top, with a carry handle and a hasp to the front. This example has most of the original brown wood grained paintwork to the outside and the black japanned interior. All has been cleaned and lacquered and is complete and in good and working order. 8.75" high and 11.5" x 10". Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £65.00


Tall Hat Tin HT4* Original quality, late 19th century, tall tin hat box with the original wood grained effect paintwork to the exterior and bronze laquered finish to the interior. The front has a hasp fitting, to take a padlock, and the top has a carry ring handle. Some scuffs to the exterior, but otherwise, complete and generally in good order. 11.5" diameter and 18" high. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £85.00


	Hat Tin HT2* Original quality, late 19th century, oval tin hat box with the original brown wood grain effect paintwork and a faded, matt blue interior. The front has a hasp fitting, to take a padlock, and the top has a carry ring handle. Some scuffs to the exterior and much paint missing from the interior, but otherwise complete and generally in good order. 15." x 12.5" x 11.5". Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £65.00


Cast Iron Civil War Memorial Door Porter DP39 Original, quality, superbly detailed, cast iron door porter, we think issued to commemorate the end of the US Civil War; for the registration lozenge mark to the reverse is for the year 1865, and the Civil War was 1854 to 1865. The detail includes a sabre, a musket with bayonet, cannons and balls, flags and pennant lances and various other items, all mounted on a plinth with a wreath of laurel leaves to the top, in the form of a memorial. The reverse is impressed with the registration lozenge mark for the year 1865, 'No 183575' and '670'. Several very minor repairs have been made, all has been cleaned and lacquered and is complete and in superb order. 17.5" high, 9.5" wide at base and 5" front to back at base. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £850.00


	6 Matching "British Officers" Teaspoons CC50* Six original, quality 1920's, matching, unused, silver plated teaspoons each bearing a different head and details of various British officers of the 1st World War and previous. 1. Lord Fisher and a Cameo of a British bulldog above 'The Navy' in upper case. 2. King George V and a cameo of Britannia, above 'The Empire'. 3. Admiral Beatty and a cameo of a warship, above 'The Navy'. 4. Earl Roberts and a cameo of an Indian Army Soldier, above 'India'. 5. Earl Kitchener and a cameo of a British Soldier, above 'The Army'. 6. Duke of Connaught and a cameo of a soldier, above 'Canada'. The reverse of the spoons are all marked 'Patent applied for, Birks EPNS' and have garlands of roses, shamrocks and thistles for England, Ireland and Scotland. A super part set of commeratives, the first we have seen. Each spoon 6" x 1.2" x 0.5". Price is for the set. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £165.00


Air Warden's Name Plate NP98* Original quality, 2nd World War '1938 to 1945', pressed aluminium name plate for 'Air Warden's Post' with most of the original black paintwork and two screw holes for mounting. Complete and in good order. 14.75" x 2". Click on photo for larger and reverse views. Price: £56.00


	War Time Cycle Lamp CL8* Original quality, 2nd World War, battery powered unused bicycle front lamp in the original green paintwork. The drop down visor would not show the light to the enemy bombers looking for directional clues such as roads. This lamp also has a carrying loop and a belt hook but requires a battery to work. Complete and in good order. 4.5" tall with handle down, 4" wide +3.25" front to back. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £56.00


Campaign Tent Pole Coat Rack CH344 Original, quality, late 19th Century coatrack with eight brass coathooks and one long brass coathook, all mounted on a leather strap with a brass buckle and ribbed rubber backing. This was to be strapped onto the centre pole in a military tent, whilst out on campaign or training. The long hook was probably used to hang either a lantern or a shaving mirror. The leather strap is brittle and the ribbed rubber backing has perished a little and may prove difficult to keep it up the pole, but it would have done so originally; they really did work. The brass has been polished and lacquered and, other than the rubber and leather, all is complete and in good order. Long hook 4.5" front to back and leather strap 1.5". Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £125.00

Online Catalogue > Militaria & Trench Art

Many more items are available from the shop so if you cannot find what you want, please email us. We also maintain a very successful customer requirements file. Email us on hofgartner@belowstairs.co.uk or telephone +44(0)1488 682317.