World War II Canadian Artillery Set | with Taylor Paratrooper Compass, KI Shell Casing & Unit Photograph | 1942
Description
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Historical Context & Origin
Region: Canada (Petawawa, Ontario)
Material: Brass shell casing, photographic print on paper, Bakelite wrist compass with luminescent needle tip (Taylor manufacture)
Period: World War II, dated April 13, 1942
Description
This historically significant grouping from World War II unites three distinct Canadian artifacts: a brass artillery shell casing, a labeled military unit photograph, and a rare paratrooper wrist compass manufactured by Taylor.
The shell casing, marked “KI” at the base, represents the heavy ordnance produced and deployed during the early 1940s. The photograph, inscribed “B TRP ‘B’ BTY. A.I.C.A.T.C. Petawawa Apr 13, 1942”, captures a Royal Canadian Artillery training troop at Camp Petawawa — a critical site in Canada’s wartime mobilization. The paratrooper’s compass, crafted from wartime Bakelite with a luminescent needle tip, was designed for navigation during airborne missions, symbolizing both technological adaptation and specialized training.
Together, these objects form a vivid collection that bridges battlefield machinery, personal soldier’s equipment, and documentary provenance.
Features
- Brass artillery shell casing with “KI” ordnance factory mark
- Original WWII military photograph of Petawawa training troop, dated April 13, 1942
- Canadian paratrooper wrist compass, Bakelite construction, Taylor manufacture
- Compass needle tip retains traces of luminescent paint
- Scarce and well-preserved grouping tied to Canadian airborne and artillery history
Cultural Significance
This ensemble embodies multiple aspects of Canada’s wartime service: the destructive power of artillery, the innovation of specialized airborne equipment, and the human story documented in training photographs. Paratrooper compasses are highly sought after due to their rarity and connection to elite units, while the photograph anchors the grouping in place, date, and unit identity. Together, the three pieces offer collectors and historians an evocative window into Canada’s contribution to the Allied war effort.
Condition
-
Shell casing: Patinated with expected use wear; factory mark legible
-
Photograph: Sepia toned with fading and edge wear; inscription remains clear
-
Compass: Bakelite intact with strap lugs; needle responsive; luminescent tip no longer glows but retains visible traces
Dimensions (approximate)
-
Shell casing: Height 3.75 in
-
Compass: Diameter 2.5 in
-
Photograph: 8 × 10 in
Age
Dated April 13, 1942 (WWII era)
Description
Historical Context & Origin
Region: Canada (Petawawa, Ontario)
Material: Brass shell casing, photographic print on paper, Bakelite wrist compass with luminescent needle tip (Taylor manufacture)
Period: World War II, dated April 13, 1942
Description
This historically significant grouping from World War II unites three distinct Canadian artifacts: a brass artillery shell casing, a labeled military unit photograph, and a rare paratrooper wrist compass manufactured by Taylor.
The shell casing, marked “KI” at the base, represents the heavy ordnance produced and deployed during the early 1940s. The photograph, inscribed “B TRP ‘B’ BTY. A.I.C.A.T.C. Petawawa Apr 13, 1942”, captures a Royal Canadian Artillery training troop at Camp Petawawa — a critical site in Canada’s wartime mobilization. The paratrooper’s compass, crafted from wartime Bakelite with a luminescent needle tip, was designed for navigation during airborne missions, symbolizing both technological adaptation and specialized training.
Together, these objects form a vivid collection that bridges battlefield machinery, personal soldier’s equipment, and documentary provenance.
Features
- Brass artillery shell casing with “KI” ordnance factory mark
- Original WWII military photograph of Petawawa training troop, dated April 13, 1942
- Canadian paratrooper wrist compass, Bakelite construction, Taylor manufacture
- Compass needle tip retains traces of luminescent paint
- Scarce and well-preserved grouping tied to Canadian airborne and artillery history
Cultural Significance
This ensemble embodies multiple aspects of Canada’s wartime service: the destructive power of artillery, the innovation of specialized airborne equipment, and the human story documented in training photographs. Paratrooper compasses are highly sought after due to their rarity and connection to elite units, while the photograph anchors the grouping in place, date, and unit identity. Together, the three pieces offer collectors and historians an evocative window into Canada’s contribution to the Allied war effort.
Condition
-
Shell casing: Patinated with expected use wear; factory mark legible
-
Photograph: Sepia toned with fading and edge wear; inscription remains clear
-
Compass: Bakelite intact with strap lugs; needle responsive; luminescent tip no longer glows but retains visible traces
Dimensions (approximate)
-
Shell casing: Height 3.75 in
-
Compass: Diameter 2.5 in
-
Photograph: 8 × 10 in
Age
Dated April 13, 1942 (WWII era)
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