WW2 POW made Aluminium Cigarette Case England 1944

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

This is the first example I have seen that was actually made in a POW camp in England, normally they where made POW’s in North Africa.

These cases were traded for food and cigarettes by the POW’s, with the guards and locals.

The cases where made using the aluminium frames of downed aircraft, in this case that crashed in England during WW2.

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

The front of this beautiful example has a fine chisel work design that surrounds a central image of two cherub’s either side of a central shield escutcheon that has the owners initials AZ engraved into it.

The back of the case also has the same fine chisel/engraving work around the border and in the centre is an image of a spread winged bird, possibly a phoenix?

Inside the case it has the engraved images of an ornate planter above the owners initials AZ and the lettering:

MADE IN ENGLAND
IN THE YEAR
1944
BY SA
Someone at some point in time has also scratched the initials RP into the case, probably another owner of the case.

On the other side is a image of a pretty woman in a summer outfit with a flowers.

It also retains the original lugs and the elastic strap that is rare to find these days and would be 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 very light surface scratches through use and a very shallow dent near the birds head.

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

It measures 5.75” (14.7cm) wide, 3.2” (8cm) high and 0.5” (1.3cm) thick.

It weighs 112g.

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: 50510