Restoring the War Machines of History: WWII Munitions Brought Back to Life

When we talk about restoring World War II munitions, we’re not just preserving metal, we are preserving memory.

At L-Shaped Armory, restoration is more than a craft. It’s a calling. Each shell, mortar, and projectile we work on is a relic of a defining global conflict—an artifact that has survived battlefield chaos, time, and the elements. And under the skilled hands of our founder, Patrick, these pieces are reborn with precision and authenticity that rivals museum standards.

From Rusted Relics to Historical Showpieces

Take a look at one of our recent transformations of the 81MM mortar rounds. (below)

The center one shows what these munitions often look like after decades of corrosion, grime, and neglect. On either side? The same model, fully restored by hand. We clean, restore and, repaint to historically accurate WWII standards, down to the stenciling and polished fin assemblies. (We often fail at taking great, professional looking photos though…)

81mm Mortars – Center unrestored, flanked by two fully restored examples.

Here is another side-by-side comparison of a U.S. Navy 5″/38 caliber projectile, the standard artillery used aboard destroyers in WWII. On the right, the shell in its original, heavily worn condition—cracked and rusted. On the left, after restoration: the green body with authentic yellow and white ordnance banding, stenciled, just as it would have appeared in a 1943 naval ammunition depot.

U.S. Navy 5”/38 Caliber Projectiles – Before and after full restoration.

Precision, Research, and Respect in Every Project

Patrick—a lifelong collector and founder of L-Shaped Armory—approaches every project with an obsessive level of detail. His restoration work isn’t just cosmetic; it’s deeply researched, referencing original U.S. military manuals and period photographs to replicate finishes, stenciling, and materials as authentically as possible.

Whether it’s sourcing accurate olive drab paint for a WWII shell or reproducing fuze caps from scratch, Patrick’s goal is always the same: to honor the past by preserving it properly.

A Trusted Partner for Museums and Collectors

Our work has found homes in private museums, historical institutions, and the collections of serious military memorabilia enthusiasts across the country. We specialize in:
– WWII artillery shells and mortars
– Naval deck gun projectiles (like the 5″/38)
– Inert ordnance with full visual restoration
– Custom display stands and plaques
– Authenticity documentation and sourcing

The L-Shaped Armory Difference

Museum-Grade Workmanship
Every piece we touch is restored using as historically accurate as possible materials and methods.

Historian’s Attention to Detail
We dive deep into archival sources to ensure every marking and finish is correct.

Custom Restoration Services
From simple cleaning to full transformations, we offer a range of options to suit your budget and vision.

Rare Artifact Sourcing
Looking for something specific? Let us help track it down—we love a good challenge.

Bring History Home

If you’re ready to add a one-of-a-kind piece to your collection—or breathe new life into a forgotten relic—L-Shaped Armory is your trusted restoration partner.

📩 Contact us: Lshapedarmory@gmail.com

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One Massive Restoration: 16″ Iowa Class Battleship Projectile

Here’s a beast of a project we’re proud to show off, a 16″ Iowa Class Battleship Projectile, freshly restored and ready for display. This is hands-down one of the largest and most detailed military collectibles we’ve ever brought back to life, taking nearly 8 weeks of hands-on restoration.

100% Original. Completely Inert. Museum-Worthy.

This authentic naval ordnance weighs in at a jaw-dropping 1,900 pounds and comes straight from an Iowa Class battleship, the iconic giants of WWII naval power. The projectile was originally demilled with a cutting torch, but we’ve meticulously welded it back together, stripped it down to bare metal, and refinished it with a smooth, durable coat and hand-lettered markings.

To top it off, we even had a custom fuse made to match, since the original was long gone. Every detail has been recreated with care to meet museum-quality standards.

Custom Restoration for Collectors & Museums

Each of these restored battleship artifacts is custom-built to order, with a turnaround time of about 6–8 weeks. Due to the weight and size, these pieces require forklift or heavy equipment for movement. However, we include a custom lifting hook with every shipment for easier movement.

Want to make it even more personal? We can stencil a custom serial number, whether it’s a retirement date, birthday, or any number that means something to you. Keep scrolling for more pictures and information!

Beginning the process of restoring the 16" shell
Restoring the shells!
Lifting hook included with purchase

In the crate for shipping!

16" shell in the crate

Recently Shipped to a Private Museum

Just last week, we crated up two of these giants and shipped them off to a private museum in California. They’re now on proud display, telling their piece of WWII naval history to a whole new audience.

Ready to own a piece of history?

This is more than a conversation piece — it’s a centerpiece of military history.

Contact us today @lshapedarmory@gmail.com or text us at 812-267-7076 to order your custom-restored naval projectile and bring a piece of the Iowa Class legacy into your collection.

Placed on the truck for shipping to California!
Projectiles were used on a battleship
Soldier near the 16" shells