Original U.S. WWI POW Coblenz Prison Trench Art with Scrapbook - 42nd Infantry Division U.S. Marines USMC at Camp Edwards

at Camp Edwards

serial number visible on underside of the barrel reads 27745 as well as a matching number on the grip frame

The trench maps never showed the allied trench positions just in case they fell into enemy hands

Item A28 as shown in diagram

and easily released

Original U.S. WWI POW Coblenz Prison Trench Art with Scrapbook - 42nd Infantry Division U.S. Marines USMC at Camp EdwardsOriginal item: Corporal William C. Reekie was a member of the 117th Field Signal Battalion in the 42nd Infantry Division and fought in World War One. At some point during the war he was captured and put into a Prisoner of War camp in Coblenz Germany. While in prison he elaborately carved his mess tin. On the top in the center it reads: W. C. ReeKei 117 F. B. S. C. 42 Div Around the circumference of the lid: CHAMPAIGN BACARRRAT ST MICHEL VERDUN CHATEAU