Military shovel?

mousegun · Post by **mousegun** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 2:47 pm

A friend gave me an old shovel that looks like it was military but I'm not sure. It's still got some OD green paint on it but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. It appears to be about the same size as shovels used on Jeeps but isn't shaped quite right to fit the side of my MB body. (The handle end sticks out too much from the body side)
Overall length is about 34 1/2"
The handle is cast iron with "Bolton Johnson" cast in.
The strap attaching the handle is stamped "USED" "Crucible Steel Patent" & "? AMES". The letter/symbol before ames isn't very clear, but looks sort of like an "O"

I've put 3 pics up at this link: http://www.users.qwest.net/~mousegun/

Anyone recognize it?

Thanks,
Mark

Bill Eldred · Post by **Bill Eldred** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 4:46 pm

Well the jeep used shovels marked #2. This one looks like a #0. Does it fit the body contour for the pioneer tools? If so then it would be a good shovel. If not then it would be ok for a different type of mil vehicle.

Robin · Post by **Robin** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 6:05 pm

That's a WW1 shovel.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 3:03 am

I have a similar one with the U.S.E.D. on it. Does anyone know what that acronym stands for? I had no luck trying to Google it, it just treats it like the common word "used".

Jeff H · Post by **Jeff H** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 3:04 am

Anonymous wrote:I have a similar one with the U.S.E.D. on it. Does anyone know what that acronym stands for? I had no luck trying to Google it, it just treats it like the common word "used".

sorry login keeps logging out

Robin · Post by **Robin** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 4:32 am

US Engineer Dept.

Post by **john barton** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 4:51 am

I have sold several shovels of that type on here...although I believe it is an older style, there are several WWII jeep period pictures of it..

the bottom scan is from a picture of Gen Patton standing on a jeep while saluting a review...
the numbers on that style of shovel..2, 3, and 4...refer to the width of the blade...they will all fit on a jeep if bend is correct..
lay shovel on a flat surface open side of blade down.. if handle is parallel
to ground..it will not fit jeep..
I have found that style with the correct bend...and like yours...that will
not..
However, there are also many pics of jeeps with shovels that did not fit correctly and were flopping around...keep it and use it...til a better one shows up...
john

lucakiki · Post by **lucakiki** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 5:45 am

Hi John: when talking pioneer tools, you are the reference!
As a side note, the kind of shovel on issue prompted some guys to think of it as the correct kind for slat grille jeeps: on no other basis than its presence on some early pictures with a slattie sporting this kind of shovel.

As for the "drop" of the handle,and its more or less neat fitting when strapped to a jeep, couldn't it be a matter of sheer luck owed to different suppliers, since there it was not a jeep peculiar shovel, but just an army spec shovel? (Shovel,general purpose,D hdl.,plain back,rd-pt,41-S-3170)

Robin · Post by **Robin** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 10:02 am

I was lead to believe that the reason for 2 footman loops on the side of the Jeep was to accomidate either the shorter USED shovel or longer WW2 period shovel.

Jeff H · Post by **Jeff H** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 2:34 pm

If anyone is interested I will sell my used U.S.E.D. shovel for $40 plus shipping.
Jeff H

mousegun · Post by **mousegun** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 8:10 pm

Thanks for the info.....Glad I was able to salvage the shovel. My friend was clearing out and it was just about to be put out by the curb.

Mark

phantomfixer · Post by **phantomfixer** » Fri Jul 15, 2022 12:37 pm

an oooold post but dug it up (pun) after finding this today...it sounds like the one described back in 2005

it is a GI shovel?
marked U.S.E.D.
Ames etc

70th Division · Post by **70th Division** » Sun Jul 17, 2022 4:45 am

phantomfixer wrote: ↑
Fri Jul 15, 2022 12:37 pm
an oooold post but dug it up (pun) after finding this today...it sounds like the one described back in 2005

it is a GI shovel?
marked U.S.E.D.
Ames etc

Hello,

A great early looking shovel.

From what I understand U.S.E.D. stands for the US Engineering Department, so I would say this is likely a Military shovel, maybe dating back to WW1 or earlier.

I am not sure when the USED marking started, or ended.

I do have 3 or 4 USED shovels, that are shorter than a WW2 jeep shovel, but are olive drab, and could fit.
These I figured were from WW1.

Best Regards,
Ray

Robin · Post by **Robin** » Sun Jul 17, 2022 9:29 am

From the National Archives is this photo take in 1932 of the shovel in question as packed on the Phillips Pack Saddle.

70th Division · Post by **70th Division** » Sun Jul 17, 2022 4:02 pm

Robin wrote: ↑
Sun Jul 17, 2022 9:29 am
From the National Archives is this photo take in 1932 of the shovel in question as packed on the Phillips Pack Saddle.

Hello Robin,

That is a great picture you found right there !!!

A Cavalry shovel !!

Nice

Ray

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