Aunt Bertha from Germany is visiting us

[stuka f]

I came a cross;
A VERY RARE GERMAN 42cm GERAT L/12 DICKE BERTHA (BIG BERTHA) HOWITZER BRASS SHELL CASE.
and
A World War I brass howitzer shell case,stamped 'Polte Magdeburg IX 17, 1285',16in diameter appro
and
Rare Large Brass Shell Case from one of the German “Big Bertha” Artillery Guns, the shell case ha

even one from the Baldwin collection...
Would anyone know what the results of those sales was.
I asked the auction houses directly but didn't get any answer so far...

[stuka f]

Just noticed the links do not bring you to the shells.
This is what I am talking about;

[BlackCat1982]

I would leave them as they are, certainly would not polish them up and lose the patina. Don't be tempted to make them into lamps, as drilling holes into them for the power cord will ruin them.

[stuka f]

Making them to lamps was never my idea!

The last picture I posted shows (by coincidence!) very well the 3 stages you might find a casing.
I must say I very much like the first condition, but I know very well one can never match that artificially...
No worry's as long they are here, they will stay in this condition.

[stuka f]

here some pic's of the markings.
I didn't find the proper KM stamp, but as the month is given in Roman numerals, one can assume they where KM.
I did cleaned the marked area's a bit in order to read what it says.
Here is the Polte;

[stuka f]

And this is the other one.
Both have one similarity the "18" and two small point (holes) on the edge.
This one has a extra mark in the between the edge and the middle, saying "III 1916 E" also a number further up ; "874".
Could this means it was reused ...

[Chopperman]

Don't be tempted to make them into lamps, as drilling holes into them for the power cord will ruin them.

Making them to lamps was never my idea!

You can blame that idea on my wife.

[stuka f]

First sunny day, since they are in, so here is a better pic.