This was the climactic naval battle of the Spanish-American War and resulted in the complete destruction of the Spanish fleet consisting of six ships headed by Spanish Admiral Pascual Cervera who attempted to break out of Santiago Harbor in southern Cuba only to have his fleet destroyed by Rear Admiral William Sampson and Commadore William Schley. In a running battle, American fire power reduced the Spanish ships to burning hulls. This piece is a 3.75" bullet taken from one of the six Spanish ships. The bullet can be pulled away from the empty cartridge housing so there is no possibility that this is a live shell. On one side, professionally mounted, is a brass pin on a t-shaped hinge. The opposite side of the brass casing is engraved in block lettering "From Battleship Vizcaya July 3, 1898" (this is the correct date of the famous battle). The end of the brass casing has some tiny markings with the letters "D.M." at the top, "K" at the bottom and with the apparent date (of manufacturer?) "18" at the left and "97" at the right. Brass casing has shallow 1/8" dent line just above where the catch holds the pin shaft but showing very little. Beautiful luster. Apparently taken and converted to a pin by an American sailor. Unique.