WWI shrapnel ID help requested

[Lamar]

This is my first post, and I apologize that it's not CW related. I've been reading this board for awhile, and learning a lot, but I don't know enough to contribute.

My grandfather was a surgeon in the (US) infantry during WWI. He took a large piece of shrapnel out of a soldier (in NE France), brought it home as a souvenir, and my grandmother gave it to me. Unfortunately, I don't know the nationality of the wounded soldier, what part of the body it was removed from, or if the soldier survived. (My grandfather brought home a several helmets, bayonets, big shell casings, etc., but all I got was the shrapnel, his hat, some pins, & belt.)

Can anyone tell me anything about this piece?
 

[speedenforcer]

If he pulled a piece that big out of someone i doubt they survived.

[John D. Bartleson Jr.]

Sir;
I will give you a tentative I.D. as a 77 mm German High Explosive shell fragment or shard if you will.
Regards,
John

[John D. Bartleson Jr.]

Sir,
   There were four or five models of the WWI German 77mm H.E. Shell, each having a slightly different rotating band. Below is the closest to your shard.
Regards,
John

[Lamar]

Thank you, John!