Memorabilia - Trench Art - French Shell Casing Model 1885 37 mm, January 1918

Historical information

The Canon d'Infanterie de 37 modèle 1916 TRP (37mm mle.1916) was a French infantry support gun, first used during World War I. TRP stands for tir rapide, Puteaux (fast-firing, designed by the Atelier de Puteaux). The tactical purpose of this gun was the destruction of machine gun nests. It was also used on aircraft such as the Beardmore W.B.V and the Salmson-Moineau. Fighter ace René Fonck used a 37mm mle.1916 on a SPAD S.XII.

Physical description

Shell casing - Brass

Inscriptions & markings

On the base:
PDPs 267 1.18 37-85 (there is a symbol of a flaming bomb between 18 and 37)
On the side:
"1917
BULLECOURT
MESSINES
NIEUPORT
YPRES"
On opposite side (in an engraved ribbon towards top of casing):
K.F. KEATING

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