Shell casings were not a typical Portland Company product, but this 1917 photograph shows that during World War I, that is just what the company made. In addition, the Portland Company had a better, faster record than any other shell casing manufacturer. Collections of Maine Historical Society. Order a copy at VintageMaineImages.com, item #5773

In commemoration of Maine’s bicentennial this year, The Forecaster is featuring historical highlights from our communities’ past 200 years, in print and online every other week.

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