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This is your chance to own an original piece of First World War history. These Flanders Field Grasp Lapel Pins are cast from brass incorporating some copper artillery shell ‘drive bands’ that were used during the First World War. This is the band of copper that’s proud of the stell shell casing, so when the shell is fired the force behind it ‘swages’ the copper band into the spiralled rifling grooves of the barrel and against the walls forming a seal that prevents gases from blowing past, maximising energy and range. Importantly, the barrel’s rifling also spins the shell, the consequent gyroscopic effect making it more stable in flight, and more accurate.
Varied sizes of copper bands are heated to around 1,100 degrees C, then some modern copper is added, plus zinc, turning the copper into brass. Due to the low melting point of zinc, it is quickly mixed with the copper then immediately poured before it can burn off.
The next stage of casting is using the lost wax process, for which every casting will need a ‘sacrificial’ wax to create a pattern. These patterns are then attached to a central wax stick, which is added to a casting can and the molten brass poured into it.
From this casting can, a cast ‘tree’ of grasp pins is made. Each pin is polished to give it its antiqued 100-year-old appearance. The design symbolises one man rescuing another from a mud filled shell hole, representing the RBL giving a helping hand to servicemen and women for over a century.
This pin is special for another important reason too as they also contain earth from Essex Farm, Ypres, where, on 3rd May 1915, Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae of the Canadian Army Medical Corps wrote the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’, which was the inspiration for the iconic red poppy becoming a symbol of Remembrance. The earth is collected and ground down to a fine powder and sieved, before being mixed with red enamel and painted into the poppy shaped recesses in the backs of every pin, so each has two levels of profound First World War history in its making - the metal and the earth.
This is your chance to own an original piece of First World War history. The Flanders Field Grasp Lapel Pin incorporates copper from authentic artillery shells, and some earth from the Essex Farm fields in Ypres, where, on 3rd May 1915, Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae of the Canadian Army Medical Corps wrote the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’.
Each pin comes with a commemorative certificate, dedicated to a brave soldier who served and sacrificed during the First World War. Presented in a keepsake box, with a certificate of authentication.
Minor surface imperfections and flaws may exist in the Grasp pin due to the use of century old ex-battlefield metals and the handmade process for creating them, but such only adds to the item’s character, individuality, and charm.
Flanders Field Copper Grasp Lapel Pin also available.
Designed by TMB Art Metal.
- Dimensions: 3cm (H) x 1.1cm (W) x 0.6cm (D)
UK and BFPO Standard Delivery is FREE on orders £40 and over, or £4.50 on orders under £40. We despatch orders Monday - Friday, and orders are usually delivered within 3 - 5 working days.
European Delivery is £14.00, and orders are usually delivered within 5 working days.
Rest of World Delivery is £28.00, and orders are usually delivered within 14 working days.
We want you to be completely satisfied with your purchases. If you are not completely satisfied with any item you ordered, just return it, in the original packaging if possible, within 30 days of the date of receipt and we will refund your money or send you a replacement – no questions asked.
Unfortunately we are unable to refund postage incurred to return a product unless the item is faulty or defective. For further information, visit our Delivery & Returns page.