WW2 POW Made Aluminium Trench Art Cigarette Case - RAF Africa 1948

Here on offer is a WW2 POW made aluminium Trench Art Cigarette/Sweetheart Case.

I have been told that these sweetheart cigarette cases where made by Italian and German POW's captured by the British Forces in North Africa in WW2 and imprisoned in POW camps across British controlled Africa, mainly in Kenya.

Apparently the last POW camp in Kenya still had three occupants as late as 1950!

I believe these cases were traded for food and cigarettes by the POW’s.

The cases where made using the aluminium frames of downed aircraft from the North African front.

Each case was then individually hand engraved and therefore each one is unique!

The front of this fine example has a chisel work design that surrounds the edges of a large raised shaped section. In the centre is a dark blue leatherette section and attached to it is an accurate representation of an RAF emblem eagle, expertly cut out of aluminium.

The back of the case also has some chisel/engraving work and in the centre is the aluminium cut out image of African continent which is engraved with the lettering AFRICA 1948. Fitted underneath this image are two sections of red and green leatherette, the two main colours of the Kenyan flag.

Inside the case it has more chisel work borders and one side has a raised cut out heart, which has the black and white photo of a lady, set in the centre. She would have been the wife or loved one of the original owner of the case.

On the other side is a beautiful image of an English rose.

It also retains the original lugs and the elastic strap that is rare to find these days and would have been used to hold the cigarettes in place.

The case is opened by pressing an aluminium catch at the edge of the case, which still works perfectly as does the hinge.

The case itself is in excellent condition with no cracks or splits; just a few light surface scratches through use.

The aluminium has a nice smooth feel and a shiny polished finish.

It measures 4.75” (12cm) wide, 3.25” (8.3cm) high and 0.6” (1.6cm) thick.

It weighs 87.5g.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

Please see my TERMS OF BUSINESS regarding Deliver Charges and Insurance regarding additional insurance cover, should you require it, BEFORE the item is dispatched.

The responsibility lies with the customer to check with your Customs restrictions that this item can be imported into your country.

Code: 50509