WWII USS Dale DD-353 Komandorski 40mm Trench Art Ashtray T.F. Idol w/Research For Sale

⚓ SOME PIECES OF TRENCH ART DECORATE A SHELF. THIS ONE PRESERVES A SAILOR, A SHIP, AND A NEARLY FORGOTTEN NAVAL BATTLE IN BRASS.

Offered here is an extraordinary piece of named World War II naval trench art, hand-fashioned from a U.S. Navy 40mm brass shell casing and commemorating the Battle of the Komandorski Islands.

The front carries an unusually detailed, hand-engraved bow-on portrait of an American destroyer underway. The opposite side is inscribed:

“Battle off Komandorski

March 26–43

T.F. Idol U.S.N.”

The engraved name and initials correspond with Seaman Second Class Tillman Foster Idol, who is documented by wartime Navy muster information as serving aboard USS Dale (DD-353). Dale was a Farragut-class destroyer, a Pearl Harbor survivor, recipient of 14 battle stars, and one of the four American destroyers engaged at Komandorski.

The ship depicted on the casing bears the number 353, bringing the engraved vessel, named sailor, and documented battle together in one remarkable artifact.

★ THE BATTLE

On March 26, 1943 by the date observed aboard the American ships—March 27 locally because of the International Date Line—an outnumbered American force intercepted a Japanese convoy attempting to resupply Attu and Kiska.

The resulting Battle of the Komandorski Islands was one of World War II’s last major daylight surface engagements fought entirely by ships, without aircraft or submarines participating. USS Dale helped screen the damaged USS Salt Lake City and engaged Japanese cruisers during the action. Although tactically inconclusive, the battle forced the Japanese convoy to turn back and effectively ended their surface resupply of the Aleutians.

◆ THE ARTIFACT

The ashtray was formed by cutting down a full-size 40mm cartridge case and carefully hammering the base outward to create a stable foot. The cigarette rests remain intact.

The underside retains its original ordnance markings:

• 40 MM MK I

• 10-1942

• A.L. [Anchor] LOT 1195

• C.P.C. MK 21

The engraved work has the unmistakably individual character expected from sailor-made trench art: variable line depth, small tool skips, crosshatched shading, punch-dot details, freehand lettering, signal flags, birds and water surrounding the destroyer’s bow.

This is not a generic commercial military souvenir. Every meaningful element—the named sailor, USS Dale, hull number 353, exact battle and wartime-dated casing—points toward one coherent historical origin.

Along the rough hammered foot are faint, unfinished characters that appear to begin “Battle off…”—repeating the same misspelling, with an extra “f,” found in the completed inscription above. The engraver apparently began the wording on the uneven base, abandoned the attempt when the surface proved unsuitable, and restarted it on the smoother casing wall. That matching misspelling acts almost like an engraver’s fingerprint, strongly connecting the abandoned attempt with the finished inscription and offering a fascinating glimpse into the artifact’s original handwork.

★ ATTRIBUTION AND DOCUMENTATION

The piece will be accompanied by the pictured three-page collector research and provenance report prepared in September 2026. The report documents:

• Tillman Foster Idol’s service aboard USS Dale

• Dale’s presence at Pearl Harbor and Komandorski

• The American and Japanese order of battle

• The casing and primer markings

• Construction and engraving characteristics

• Historical context and preservation recommendations

• Fifteen listed research sources

The report presents the most plausible historical reconstruction based upon the physical artifact, its engraved name and date, surviving Navy records, USS Dale’s documented participation, and the period-correct casing.

As with sailor-made wartime trench art lacking an unbroken written chain of custody, no one can establish with absolute certainty who physically held the engraving tool or whether this particular casing was fired aboard Dale. Nevertheless, the convergence of name, ship, hull number, battle, date and material makes the attribution to Tillman Foster Idol and USS Dale exceptionally compelling.

◆ SIZE AND CONDITION

Approximately 3 7/16 inches tall at its highest point and approximately 2.36 inches in diameter.

Its compact scale makes the amount of handwork particularly impressive. The artwork becomes most prominent in bright natural light. Under ordinary indoor lighting it is more subtle, but remains clearly present and nicely executed.

Preserved in honest, as-found condition with natural brass patina, age-related handling marks and darkened engraving grooves. The surface has not been polished or artificially brightened. There is no active corrosion noted, and the hammered base remains stable.

Please examine all photographs carefully. Several views were taken in natural light to reveal engraving that can appear more subdued under normal interior lighting.

⚓ MORE THAN TRENCH ART

This small piece of brass connects three historically significant subjects: a Pearl Harbor survivor, one of World War II’s most unusual naval engagements, and an identified sailor who served aboard the ship.

It is personal, historically grounded and almost certainly one of a kind—the sort of artifact that could disappear into an advanced naval or trench-art collection and not surface again for many years.

Offered as a special Prairiedogky Weekend Safe Drop from a longtime private collection. The pictured three-page research package will accompany the artifact.

Follow my store and browse my other listings for additional antique knives, militaria and carefully selected pieces from a collection built over more than twenty years.

Thanks for your interest!

Kind regards,

Perry