Carved British SMLE Stock

[Cameron Stockton]

Hi

I have seen this for sale and I was wondering what peoples opinions of it are. The seller says he brought it from a French farmer in the 70s/80s (belive the item not the story).

It is carved with the the cap badge of the Lincolnshire Regiment and the name '340 S J Watts'.
Doing a search on the CWGC I found a '304 Pte S J Watts Lincolnshire Regiment' who was killed in action on 1/7/16. The first day of the Battle Of The Somme.

It appears to be a grave marker of sorts but sadly he has no know grave. So my guess is a hasty burial and no records recorded?

Thanks

Cameron

[Jerry B]

In many cases temporary burials were made where they fell, but as in many areas the battles continued across the same areas, these graves were often lost/destroyed by continued fighting. It is likely that this was such an original grave marker the location of which was later lost. A strange thing to fake so probably an original period artefact.

[Cameron Stockton]

Hi

Thank you Jerry, its the sort of item which puts the real cost of war into perspective....

Cameron

[douglas2496]

Yes, an evocative and interesting piece and very likely to be authentic.

[Spitace41]

I agree, this would be an odd thing to fake. I have never seen a marker specifically like this, although I know they were made out of whatever was available. Pilots for example often had propeller grave markers. I imagine that this is quite a rare item and an important piece of history. Out of interest are there any markings on the disc, or is that missing?

Cheers.

[Cameron Stockton]

I agree, this would be an odd thing to fake. I have never seen a marker specifically like this, although I know they were made out of whatever was available. Pilots for example often had propeller grave markers. I imagine that this is quite a rare item and an important piece of history. Out of interest are there any markings on the disc, or is that missing?

Cheers.

Hi

I dont think there are any other markings. It is finishing soon so if I win it, I will tell you guys.

Cameron

[guns ltd]

Interesting find Cameron.


John

[Cameron Stockton]

Hi

Unfortunately I didn't win it.

Thanks

Cameron

[Jerry B]

Hi

Unfortunately I didn't win it.

Thanks

Cameron

Bummer Cam. Was it on ebay? How much did it sell for?

[Cameron Stockton]

Bummer Cam. Was it on ebay? How much did it sell for?

Hi

Yeah, it sold for £82.00 plus postage.

Cameron