WW2 Canadian Mills No 36 Trench Art Ashtray

This item is a Canadian Mills No 36 Trench Art Ashtray dating from the World War II period. The ashtray is crafted from a deactivated Mills No 36 hand grenade body, an iconic British and Commonwealth fragmentation grenade used extensively throughout the war. It features the distinctive grooved exterior characteristic of the No 36 model, repurposed as an ashtray—an example of trench art, where soldiers or civilians adapted surplus or battlefield materials for practical or commemorative use. The top portion of the grenade has been modified to create a shallow bowl, often with sections cut or filed to rest cigarettes. Such pieces were commonly produced by service members during or after the conflict, serving as personal souvenirs or gifts. This ashtray provides a tangible connection to wartime history and illustrates the adaptation of military materials for everyday use. The item measures approximately 6 cm in height and displays a patinated metal finish typical of period artifacts.