Shovel Question

[vwsf]

Are these WW II shovels? Is there a date stamp anywhere on them?
Any Value?
Thank you

[70th Division]

Are these WW II shovels? Is there a date stamp anywhere on them?
Any Value?
Thank you

Looking at them, they appear to be WW2 type, but they did make them in the 1950's as well, not to mention Asian imports.

But the maker's name and date is stamped on the blade, usually to the left of the hand screw device, on the shovel blade.

See ebay for general pricing.
$10-$60 + or - depending on condition.

Best Regards,
Ray

[dpcd67]

Those are entrenching tools, carried by the soldier in a canvas cover for the blade, folded back. Common to see them on WW2 soldier's back packs. They weigh about 6 pounds; which is why I was in tanks; we carried Nothing on our backs.

[loni17thAirD]

Just by looking at them, I would say there is a 99.9% chance they are WWII vintage. I'm going guess the US equipped enough for 86 divisions plus, bastard regiment's and battalions. Maybe about one million or more entrenching tools were produced during WWII. This does not include the USMC or land lease for other countries.

[d42jeep]

I wouldn’t count on them being WW2. Here are some of my shovels.
-Don

[sam C.]

Don,
In your last picture you show 5 tools in the canvas cover. I think the first/most left is British, is it not? Maybe WWI?
Also, what era is the canvas on the far right? That has the two tabs that the others don't have.

Sam

[d42jeep]

The one on the left is an early one made by Ames in the US. The one on the right is late ‘50s or early 60s, as I was informed by Tin Medic. Here are a few more pictures.
-Don

[dpcd67]

More commonly called Entrenching Tools, or E tools, there are three basic models; the M1910, which is not folding, the M1943, which is the most common, and the M1951, (We did have one in the 1980s, which was all metal and folded into a 1 foot package; I don't know the model but I have one here somewhere) the M1951, has a pick on the opposite side of the shovel blade.
This is why I was in tanks; we carried nothing. If we wanted a hole dug, we called the Engineers and they brought a bulldozer.