Authentic WWI South Wales Borderers (SWB) Brass Trench Art Matchbox Cover & Period Matchbox

This is an original, field-crafted brass trench art matchbox sleeve, belonging to a soldier serving with the famous South Wales Borderers (SWB) infantry regiment.

Meticulously hand-engraved with the official South Wales Borderers regimental insignia, featuring the iconic Sphinx sitting above an "EGYPT" tablet, enclosed in the historic Wreath of Immortelles, with the intertwined "SWB" monogram at the base.

The spine is deeply scored with horizontal lines mimicking a leather-bound book spine, boldly engraved with "FRANCE" to denote their theatre of deployment on the Western Front.

The other side features the initials "L L T".

It holds an authentic vintage box of "The Blue Cross Safety Matches" (Nitedals Match Co. Ltd, London/Made in Norway), a hugely popular period-accurate matchbox that fits the sleeve perfectly.  

This item is in excellent antique condition lightly polished but still retaining some aged patina.

The match box is empty and a little worn.

 length: 2.5" (61mm)

width: 1.6" (40mm)

The photographs are of the actual item and form part of the description. 

 Please examine the photographs carefully and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us.