🔎 UNIDENTIFIED Opinions on age of entrenchment shovel

[tamrock]

I picked this up at my local thrift for under six bucks. My first thought was it would be handy to have in the truck. My first impression was it was an army surplus item, but looking online thinking it was U.S. surplus I found the U.S. type of entrenchment shovels are not the same or as robust in construction as this shovel is imo. From what I found it's a German or Dutch type shovel. I did see that this design is worth considerably more if it's a WW2 era shovel with prices in the $200. range and other later types made in the first half of 1960s with prices about a third of a WW2 period shovel. Another thing I wasn't seeing the later shovels with not quite the same type handle or being painted with an olive green as the handle on mine once had.

 

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[releventchair]

Rivet location and fullers don't match any of mine.
Dutch do look similar.
40's maybe?
Chechen (?) might be similar too.

Dutch Army Shovel, Entrenching Tool, Folding Shovel, Post-War version of German Klapspaten, circa 1940's

Today is a continuation of the "parade of shovels" that I started a week ago! This will be the last shovel I'll be showcasing for awhile, t...

sharky-fourbees.blogspot.com

 

[ticndig]

I don't know what its age is, I use a 1942 Ames that has a. different build .
mine has a name and date stamped into the head.

 

[tamrock]

Rivet location and fullers don't match any of mine.
Dutch do look similar.
40's maybe?
Chechen (?) might be similar too.

Dutch Army Shovel, Entrenching Tool, Folding Shovel, Post-War version of German Klapspaten, circa 1940's

Today is a continuation of the "parade of shovels" that I started a week ago! This will be the last shovel I'll be showcasing for awhile, t...

sharky-fourbees.blogspot.com

Thank you, releventchair. I think if anything it'll come in pretty handy at times. It's sure built though.

 

[releventchair]

Thank you, releventchair. I think if anything it'll come in pretty handy at times. It's sure built though.

Have a WW2 for...45 years or so. Bought it surplus back in my trapping days.
It has done a lot of digging. Dug quite a few firepits. Helped dig around and under stump roots.
It has chopped ice on pretty much frozen dirt roads and drives too to get a tire off a layer of ice better.. One case was a delivery truck stuck sideways on our road.

I picked up another. Mabe two others.
I tend ton sit to dig more often than from a chair. The military shovels work just fine for that.

Congrats on your shovel.
Don't hit anyone with it unless it's self defense..

 

[tamrock]

Have a WW2 for...45 years or so. Bought it surplus back in my trapping days.
It has done a lot of digging. Dug quite a few firepits. Helped dig around and under stump roots.
It has chopped ice on pretty much frozen dirt roads and drives too to get a tire off a layer of ice better.. One case was a delivery truck stuck sideways on our road.

I picked up another. Mabe two others.
I tend ton sit to dig more often than from a chair. The military shovels work just fine for that.

Congrats on your shovel.
Don't hit anyone with it unless it's self defense..

I can't help but think the original German shovel did have in mind, it could act as an alternative weapon. This thing would have some umph to it. Everything in that article you attached leads to this is one of these mysterious Dutch made klapspaten. No marks, contacts the handle when folded and it was painted. Close to 3# it is.

 

[Rmeav8r]

Nice find! These types of entrenching shovels were reproduced and copied by dozens of manufacturers. If you post a few of your photos on the US Military Forum you will get an informed answer pretty quickly. Like some of the members here there is extensive expertise in these shovels. https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php

 

[tamrock]

Nice find! These types of entrenching shovels were reproduced and copied by dozens of manufacturers. If you post a few of your photos on the US Military Forum you will get an informed answer pretty quickly. Like some of the members here there is extensive expertise in these shovels. https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php

Interesting site. Thanks!