This is a far simpler, and consequently more common, method of decoration. The shell retains it’s original cylindrical shape, bar the occasional flaring or crenellations around the top. While the ease of decorating these shells means you get far more complex and interesting designs, the downsides are that they do not display as well, as you have to be close up to see the design, and decades of cleaning slowly wear away at the surface of the shell and over time the design will disappear !!

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Very nice design, with urns of flowers. One etched “L’Aisne - Mai 1917”, the other “Verdun - Aout 1917”.

DECORATED SHELL CASES

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Acid-etched shell with a thistle design.