Original German WWII Folding Shovel Klappspaten with Rare 1941 Dated Preßstoff Carrier by Max G. Müller Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. In 1938, the klappspaten, or foldable spade, appeared, being the precursor of all modern spades of this kind. Including the 1943 American Copy. Production of the Klappspaten was halted mid-war by its high cost and overlong production time. The end-user was of secondary consideration in this type of decision!

The shovel is in very nice condition with the original in “Wehrmacht finish”. The German military blued their shovels rather than painted them. The shovel has a maker mark, VBW on the back. The shaft is marked with a plus sign carved into the wood. The rare Presstof carrier is marked bmd 41 for 1941 production by Max G. Müller of Nürnberg O. in Bavaria, who was known leathermaker of the time that produced holsters, saddles and other leather goods.The leather strap on the carrier has broken and the top flap is partially detached, and the belt carrier on the opposite side is very cracked and fragile.

The Preßstoff carrier is scarcely seen, so don’t miss out on this one. Comes ready for further research and display. 

Presstoff (also Preßstoff or Pressstoff) is the German-language term for a type of ersatz or artificial leather used during the first half of the 20th century. Made of specially layered and treated paper pulp, Presstoff was durable and easily adapted to be used in place of leather, which under wartime conditions was rationed. First invented in the 19th century, it gained its widest use in Germany during the Second World War.

Presstoff use included but was not limited to binoculars cases and straps, horse tack, bayonet frogs, equipment belts, cap visors etc. In short, Presstoff could be used in almost every application normally filled by leather, excepting items like footwear that were repeatedly subjected to flex wear and/or moisture. Under these conditions Presstoff tended to delaminate and lose cohesion.