Any idea what this is?

[KLGourley]

Does anybody have any idea what this is? It looks like an old candle holder, but there is a machine screw sticking up from the middle which strikes me as odd. I'm wondering if it may be part of some machine. I recovered it from my Dad's property at the base of an an old stump in Elizabethon, TN. The house was built in the early '50s. There is an inscription on the bottom and I can only read some of it: (2 ? W) 4-1944 A L ? LOT 662 (? words/letters I can't make out).
Also, with the exception of the screw, it appears to be brass and about 2 1/2 inches in diameter.

 

[mrs.oroblanco]

Probably IS some sort of trench art.

Here is another one made from the bottom of a shell.

B

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

It may be US Navy cannon shell marked 4-1944 A.L., anchor mark, LOT 662, 40MM MK 2, M W in a circle logo.

 

[KLGourley]

It may be US Navy cannon shell marked 4-1944 A.L., anchor mark, LOT 662, 40MM MK 2, M W in a circle logo.

It sounds like you know your stuff! After looking at the writing with a magnifying glass, there does appear to be an 'anchor mark' right after the A L and the other number letters, as faded as they are, appear to be just what you said "40MM MK2 MW". Nifty!

 

[kuger]

No B.Cy,dont know nuthin!! Nice find!!Stick around there is quite a harem of folks that are pretty savvy!

 

[dg39]

Trench art is the name given to this type of work. Made in your case in world war two. Ash trays, candle holders and even entire shells were decorated from empty casings. Brought home or sold as souvenirs...
DG