Description
What an interesting find. It’s a very large United States Marine Corps ashtray made out of a metal that looks like weapon metal. It is scrap metal of some kind, see the irregularities of the metal in the images.
Emblem bears the U.S. Marines cartouche and the year 1775. The marines were organized originally as the Continental Marines on November 10th, 1775. We have no idea what the age of this ashtray is. We can find no reference to items like this in Naval information. This type of metal doesn’t show it’s age well, it is very hard metal. Some of the crevices are darkened, could be patina, or could be inherent in the metal. It is a least 20 years old, may be much older.
The base has four markings. 1) RWP in a circle; 2) PWP in a smaller circle; 3) String of words with the word “Columbia” the only recognizable portion. We have found reference to the letter RWP, referring to Right Wing Pilot. PWP is also used in “Marine” language, but we have not yet discovered it’s meaning. It was used in reference to “Post War Reserves”.
Measures 10.5″ long, 6.5″ wide and 1″ deep. Weighs 1.3 lbs. The metal is very strong, but weighs less than most metals.
Items shown in the Big Ashtray Museum are not for sale. Big Ashtray offers a large selection of antique, vintage and retro art ashtrays, plus modern-made ashtrays, for sale in the Big Ashtray shop. Click here to view available items…
