WWI Battlefield 'Pigtail' Barbed Wire Anchor Post For Sale
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WWI Battlefield 'Pigtail' Barbed Wire Anchor Post:
$30
This sale is for ONE (1) pigtail. We also have them for sale in lots of four (4). If you wish to purchase larger quantities, we will calculate the cost of shipping them to you freight.
Background:
Barbed wireentanglementswere an essential part of the trench defenses along the front lines in WWI, slowing down an enemy assault and holding them in the killing zone to make maximum effect of defensive fire. During the day shellfire made gaps in these defenses, and the opposing forces dispatched wiring parties under the cover of night to repair the wire. These night wiring details knew all too well that no matter how much padding you put on the big mallet, pounding wood stakes into the ground attracted an uncomfortable amount of flying lead and scrap iron!
Though wood stakes continued in use throughout the war, the metal pigtails were introduced in 1915 and caught on quickly. These could be quietly and rapidly twisted into the earth, providing a measure of stealth and speed for men assigned to the dangerous wire details.
Some historians have suggested that the Germans introduced them first, others contend that the British had them earlier.. regardless, the benefits were easily understood and it was not long before these were in universal service by every WWI combatant army. The French called them "queue de cochon" (pigtail), and the British referred to them as "corkscrew pickets." Our German friends tell me that their veteran grandfathers called them "die metallstangen mit feindlichen toten geschmückt", but that may be a bit more bravado than actual history.
For Sale:
Our original WWI 'pigtails' are of Iron stock with corkscrew base and several 360 degree loops progressing up the shaft to anchor barbed wire for entanglements. These are approximately 145cm / 57 inches tall with four loop twists and a point at the top. Rusty (as they were at the time, also), but still quite solid and great for display. Over the years we have acquired and then sold out of several batches of these, both from the battlefields in Europe and even one batch from a lot that was brought back to the US as ship ballast after the war in the returning troop ships. Our most recent supply came directly from the battlefields around Ieper (Ypres) Belgium.
We brought this last batch over as part of a container shipment in 2005, but the unfavorable exchange rates between the US Dollar and Euro have prevented us from stockpiling more. The farmers around Ypres who recover them from their fields are charging us about the same price that we are selling them for. Therefore, unless there is a major shift in currency valuation, this will be our last batch of 'pigtails' for the foreseeable future. So, get yours before they are all gone!
These look great in any WWI exhibit, and can be easily displayed upright when supported by a small stand (as depicted in the image of the WWI mannequin display.) Customers have also found them to be great WWI-theme decorative or utilitarian yard items as well. The bird feeder is a particularly clever idea! Send in your own 'pigtail action shots' and perhaps we will post them to the listing.
MORE PHOTOS ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LISTING (Scroll Down)
PLEASE READ OUR TERMS BEFORE offerDING:
Missouri residents must add 4.75% sales tax.
Shipping, etc.: This item will ship by UPS Ground shipping in the USA (lower 48 states). Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico will be calculated at USPS Priority Mail. If you live in the lower 48 states please provide a street address for UPS delivery. Shipment to a PO Box via Priority Mail is available if necessary, but is often more expensive. See all US, Canada, and Overseas shipping rates under the "shipping" tab in the listing.
We are glad to combine multiple purchases for savings on shipping.
If calculates a strange rate on combined shipping, let us know and we will adjust it if possible.
INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING: We are glad to ship worldwide. See all US, Canada, and Overseas shipping rates under the "shipping" tab in the listing. If your item is shipping internationally, please understand that the post office and customs can delay parcels for days if not weeks from time to time. We normally ship several thousand overseas parcels every year, and have not had any in recent memory that became truly 'lost'. There have been a few that took an unexpected amount of time to get where they were going, but in the end they have all arrived safely.
Your Shipping Address: Due to the shipping verification requirements under PayPal, we will ship your item to the address listed in your and PayPal account only.. We have learned this the hard way, with a few bad apples asking to have items sent to a different address, claiming that they have moved, etc. then using PayPal and to end up with both the item and the money. If you really have moved recently, then you need to update your and PayPal accounts.
Payment: We ask successful buyers to remit payment within 10 days of sale end.
Questions: We are glad to answer any questions you might have to the best of our ability, except for "What Size is it?" on historical uniforms. (We sell uniforms as collectables, not costumes.) Otherwise, for all other questions ask away! We will answer as soon as possible. If we are out of the office or closed for the evening, we will answer as soon as we can after we return.
Guarantee:Fourteen day inspection period. Items may be returned a refund of the purchase price if you believe them not to be as described. (Shipping charges are not refunded.) The only exceptions are items that you alter - (don't 'clean', 'fix', or otherwise 'improve' an item and then return it) or uniform items returned for reasons of size. We do not guarantee original items to fit you.
Thanks for looking!
I hope that we can do business with you. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
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