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  1. #1

    WWII German shell casing & clock

    ]Hello,
    Today, I found an old German Kienzle vehicle clock mounted in the bottom of a WWII shell casing. The shell casing has an eagle over a swastika and the notation WaA406. There is also the mark IFH and a date 1938.
    Curious to find out what else I can learn from these marks on the casing.

    Thanks
    ClarkB


  2. #2
    One other thing. On the base of the mount is "Germany THF 1945" I wonder if this is to commemorate a specific battle or event.

  3. #3
    The IFH is the manufacturer of the shell and the date is the year it was made. The markings on the base are likely similar, initials of who made it and when. Probably post war made from scraps to make some extra rations, etc from the occupying troops.

    Does the clock still work?

  4. #4
    wa HASAG, Hugo Schneider AG, Abteilung Lampenfabrik – Leipzig, Germany. Found on ammunition headstamps and cannon shell cases

  5. #5
    Quote Originally Posted by Aragorn243 View Post
    Does the clock still work?
    I've cleaned and oiled the clock. So far it runs for a few hours. After a little more exercise I expect it will run well

  6. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by Aragorn243 View Post
    The IFH is the manufacturer of the shell and the date is the year it was made. The markings on the base are likely similar, initials of who made it and when
    The shell casing itself is dated 1938 and marked IFH

  7. #7
    Contributing Member Flying10uk's Avatar
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    How old do you think the clock is? 1920's?

  8. #8
    Quote Originally Posted by Flying10uk View Post
    How old do you think the clock is? 1920's?
    Hard for me to say. This is a new one on me. Their first automobile clocks were made in the early 1900's. They were major manufactures for aircraft cockpit and vehicle clocks during WWII. They used a lot of Polish slave labor to produce war time clocks.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by ClarkB View Post
    One other thing. On the base of the mount is "Germany THF 1945" I wonder if this is to commemorate a specific battle or event.
    Sounds more to me like some industrious soul making up stands for surplus clocks to sell same to American servicemen.

    Could also be something made by an American in Europe with workshop facilities and time on his hands.
    “There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”

    Edward Bernays, 1928

    Much changes, much remains the same.

  10. #10
    Contributing Member Sapper740's Avatar
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    WaA (WaffenAmt) 406 denotes the ammunition manufacturer Polte who was located in Magdeburg and manufactured 2.0, 3.7, 7.5, 8.8, and 10.5 cm. shells from 1935 to 1938.

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