Medals & Coins, Arms & Militaria - 25th November 2026
Lot 291
The Battle of Sedan 1871: a French 'La Hitte' system artillery shell recovered from the battlefield
Estimate £500 - £700
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Description
The Battle of Sedan 1871: a French 'La Hitte' system artillery shell recovered from the battlefield, 83 mm calibre and studded for the mechanical rifling of a rifled muzzle loader, a combined fuze and filler cap in the nose, a shield-shaped silver plate applied and inscribed '1870 FRENCH SHELL Picked up on Sept 21 1870 on the Battle Field of SEDAN'.
The Battle of Sedan, 1st-2nd September 1870, was the pivotal action of the Franco-Prussian War. It was a resounding victory for the Prussians and resulted in the capture of Napoleon III, together with more than 100,000 of his troops.