this weekend very small sniper plate

[arantxa]

Hello

 i uncovered this this weekend it seems very small and the loop is vertical rather than horizental

[Michael Haselgrove]

Hi Arantxa,

You have what remains of a German Infanterieschild or loophole plate.  It appears to me that your example has been broken in approximately half, probably by shellfire.  Originally it would have measured 40 x 60cm and weighed 15kg.  These were designed to be carried by advancing infantry but mostly they ended in static position as part of the trench defences.  If you look here:

 https://ww1revisited.com/2014/03/16/trench-loopholes-le-linge/  

you will see some in position.

Regards,

Michael.