Interesting Items made from Grenades

And now for some items made from grenades.  Soldiers are an ingenious bunch as evidenced by the items they made from whatever was at hand in the trenches of the First World War and before.  While I expect most of these items were not made in the front lines, but most likely made after the war from the souvenir grenade they brought home, they are nonetheless, an interesting item to collect. Some of these items are manufactured goods, produced by companies after the war from surplus grenade bodies and meant for sale to the public.  Some are not, but were made by the soldiers themselves.  Many of these items are being taken apart by collectors determined to restore the grenade portion to original, especially those that have rare grenades included.  I must admit to having done that myself, but only to items that were already about to fall apart or were missing parts anyway.  I no longer do that, preferring to keep the items as they are.  Lets face it, someone, normally a long time ago, spent a lot of time and effort in some cases, making something "different" for people to enjoy, I respect that and will for the most part, keep the items as is.

Here is one of the simplest things to make, an ashtray, but I suspect this was one of the manufactured items, not a homemade item.

Made from a British No. 5 or No. 23

This bank is also one of the manufactured items.  Note the slot in the front, just below the filling hole.  The base is closed by a sheet metal press fit cap.

Made from a British No. 5 or No. 23

This dime bank is not a manufactured item, made from a Canadian No. 36M.  Note the slot, only large enough to accept dimes, cut into the top and about halfway through the filling plug.

Here is a nice set of bookends, made from British and Canadian No. 36M Mk. I grenades.

This lamp is made from a French F1 grenade and has bullets for legs.

This lamp is constructed from an early US Mk. II body.

And this lamp is made from a British No. 36M, Mk. I grenade.  Note the condition of the grenade, outstanding.

This lighter is a nice one, made from a British No. 36 Mk. I dated 1918.  It is finished with an antique brass finish.  It is entirely complete with all parts matching as to manufacturer.  The lighter mechanism is simple, located just above the filler plug.  Manufactured item or not, hmmm, anyone know????

This is a pair of Salt and Pepper shakers, made from Australian No. 69 grenades.  Neat!!