1919 AEF Trench Art Shell Brass Letter Opener Souvenir De Ruzze

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This listing represents a popular World War I Trench Art Souvenir crafted by doughboys in the AEF while overseas. Here you have a souvenir trench art letter opener made from shell brass with an inert bullet handle, engraved US Army Officer's Colonel Eagle Insignia and German Iron Cross. The letter opener has symbols and a design engraved that I do not recognize. It reads; Souvenier de Ruzze. The trench art letter opener features hammered out shell brass for the blade and Iron Cross cross guard. The handle is made from an inert, 1918 cartridge marked US Cartridge Company. The blade is simple, the iron cross and designs are intricate. The handle is simply an inert cartridge. The cartridge is plugged and the Iron Cross cross guard is jammed into the cartridge.The cartridge handle has no design. The Iron Cross has stippling for the borders, and stars and a crescent for designs on both sides. The blade is engraved Souvenier de Ruzze and on the backside 1919 and a detailed Colonel's eagle with bows representing peace. I tried to use translators to determine what Ruzze was. Was it a long gone French town? Or slang for Russia? Or slang for something else?In 1919 the US sent some members of the AEF to fight the communists in Russia. Our doughboys were in winter combat conditions for about a year. It was, unfortunately, a little known footnote in history. Given the date, and the closeness of Ruzze to Russia, I wonder if this was a souvenir of that expedition. The trench art letter opener measures 6 inches in length and .75 inches at its widest. The brass blade has been flattened out, and the cartridge is obviously rendered inert with the design, modifications, and plugging the cartridge to fit the Iron Cross design at the cross guard. Therefore it should be just fine for sale domestically as it could never be weaponized. Unfortunately, this item can not be listed internationally because of the handle, even though it is inert. The letter opener is intricately crafted and designed. It is a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of the American Soldier. The trench art piece crosses several genres of collecting including WWI, the AEF, doughboys, and trench art as well as possibly Russia. The domestic buyer may opt for free 1st Class Postage with a Padded Bag and Tracking. Again, unfortunately, this item can not be offered to our International Community. I specialize in WWII militaria; however, on occasion I do diversify within my listings. Amongst my WWII items this week, I am listing a number of caps, uniform items, field gear, insignia, ribbons, home front items, etc., this week. Please do a seller-search using my username: martinolij to check it out. Thank you. Please read this section carefully before placing a bid. Payment in US Dollars is due within 7 days of the listing’s conclusion. I accept Pay Pal. Items will ship when the funds in US Dollars clear to my account. Buyer in the States pays US Postal Service Priority Mail shipping with delivery confirmation/tracking slip. I will combine postage for multiple purchases. Where First Class Postage is offered, I insist on a padded bag so a delivery tracking slip can be used. The cost of First Class includes the padded pad. Tracking is mandatory for all Pay Pal domestic transactions. I ship world wide for all countries recognized by Pay Pal. Shipping options will be provided. Smaller items can be shipped easily, safely and affordably in a Global Priority Flat One Rate Envelope or First Class Mail International (the cost of the First Class includes a padded bag). International Bidders must pay in US Dollars. Pay Pal is the accepted method of payment. I save all Postal Service Receipts as well as copies of your payment as proof of delivery and completion of the transaction. It is your responsibility to understand and adhere to these terms. I have enjoyed interacting with buyers from four continents and dozens of countries. Many have been veterans, active duty GIs, home front family members in our war, authors, artists, teachers, ... read more

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