Unusual WWI French Aviation Patriotic Stork and Bullet Trench Art Letter Opener

Here on offer is a scarce WWI French aviation patriotic stork and bullet “Trench Art” letter opener.

The flat brass dagger shaped blade tapers to a central point and is in excellent condition with just a couple of dark spots.

The blade fits securely into the base of an inert French 8×50mmR Lebel cartridge, that also retains the bullet head.

On the front of the case is the raised brass image of the French crest, three fleur-de-lis, topped with a crown.

What is really impressive about this piece is the crossguard, that has been made using two pressed detailed images (back to back), of a stocks head with spread wings.
The stork “Cigogne” was the iconic symbol of elite French fighter squadrons in WW1, particularly Groupe de Combat 12 (GC 12), nicknamed "Les Cigognes" (The Storks), which included famous aces like Georges Guynemer and René Fonck. Originating from the Alsace region where storks symbolized the desire to liberate it from Germany, these squadrons painted varied stork emblems on their planes, with different wing positions distinguishing units like N3 and SPA 103, becoming synonymous with French aerial prowess and heroism.

The letter opener measures 7.6” (19.5cm) long with a 4.6” (11.8cm) blade and the crossguard is 4.3” (11cm) wide.

It weighs 52g.


Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

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Thanks for taking the time to look.

Code: 52146