Physical description

Pair of trench art candle holders made from Japanese type 96, 25 mm anti aircraft gun ammunition casings. Presumably souvenired by an Australian serviceman during World War ll. These used brass cartridges have been lightly etched or engraved with typical New Guinea designs and the lettering "LAE" and "1943-4".

The type 96 was a Japanese built variant of the French Hotchkiss 25mm anti-aircraft gun. The type 96 was designed as a dual-purpose weapon for use against armored vehicles and aircraft, but was primarily used as an anti-aircraft gun in fixed mounts of one to three guns on Imperial Japanese Naval vessels.

Inscriptions & markings

The cartridges are engraved with typical New Guinea scenes and the word "LAE", one has the date "1943-4".