Rare W.W.I. Period Austro-Hungarian Air Service Cigarette & Card Case (Chris Balm Early Aviation & Motoring Items)

Rare W.W.I. Period Austro-Hungarian Air Service Cigarette & Card Case

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Rare W.W.I. Period Austro-Hungarian Air Service Cigarette & Card Case

Rare W.W.I. Period Austro-Hungarian Air Service Cigarette & Card Case (Detail)

Rare W.W.I. Period Austro-Hungarian Air Service Cigarette & Card Case (Inside)

Rare and very attractive cigarette case made during W.W.I. for the Austo-Hungarian Air Service. Dating from around 1917.

This beautiful case is made from gilt lined, nickel plated tin. The body is decorated with an engine turned design. The front bears a pilot's graduation badge of the Wiener-Nuestadt flying school. This badge consists of a pilot surrounded with a oak-leaf wreath, the coat of arms of the Austo-Hungarian Empire, an eagle and the inscription, "K.u.K. Luftfahrtruppen" (the Imperial and Royal Aviation Troops). The inside has two elastic straps (which have lost their elasticity with age) to retain the cigarettes and a hinged clip, most likely used to store business/calling cards. Length : 92.5mm. Takes cigarettes up to 75mm long. Good condition (some wear and tear to plating).

The Austo-Hungarian air service was created in 1893 and operated as a balloon corps. In 1912 this corps was re-organized and renamed, "Der Kaiserliche und Konigliche Luftfahrtruppen" (the Imperial and Royal Aviation Troops), abbreviated as "k.u.k. LFT". At the beginning of W.W.I, they were equipped with 1 dirigible, 10 observation balloons, 39 aircraft and 85 pilots.

For more information on the k.u.k. LFT, please click on the link below :

k.u.k. LFT

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