Original Item: Only One Available. The German Pioniertruppen (Pioneer troops) were equipped to accomplish many different tasks. Whether it was laying mines, building (or demolishing) bridges, removing obstacles or constructing earth re-enforcments; the Pioneer troops carried the necessary equipment. They had a variety of different tools such as long spades, saws, explosives, detonators, and wire cutters.
The Drahtschere (wire cutters) came in two variants. A short handled type and a long handled type, which is 25 inches in overall length. The short one was designed for the Gruppenführer or NCO, while the long one was designed for Pioneer use. The handles of both the short and long wire cutters are insulated with pressed paper with bakelite end caps.
This example is quite nice, with markings on the metal cutting head, and as far as we can tell, it is fully functional. The pressed paper handles are eroded somewhat, and the bakelite covering for the ends has chipped away, exposing the pressed paper under layer.
A great example of field-used military German Pioneer military equipment, ready to display!