Original German WWI Era Short Entrenching Tool Shovel with WWII Leather Carrier – Service Worn Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice service used German WWI Era Kleines Schanzzeug (Short Entrenching Tool) Shovel, which is a design that originally came about in the 1880s, but was still being made relatively unchanged in size and shape during the WWII Period. The main differences between the early and later produced examples were markings as well as construction methods. All utilized a short wooden handle riveted to a rectangular shovel head, but by WWII the two halves of the shovel head were welded together, not held together by rivets such as this example.

It bears a maker mark showing a crossed shovel and pick inside a crowned shield, with the initials H D G interspersed, which we have unfortunately not been able to identify. The shovel head was coated with some kind of black preservative or protectant, so we are not able to see if there are any other markings.

For use in WWII it was paired with a brown leather shovel carrier that was designed to attach to the belt. This looks to have seen extensive use, as well as field modifications and repairs. The original belt loops on the bottom tore off, and were replaced by two that did not extend as far down. There are also signs of other parts being removed or replaced. Really some fantastic history to this carrier! We checked all over the leather for markings, but unfortunately it is too work for any to have survived.

Shovel dimensions are as follows: overall length approximately 21 inches, blade length approximately 7 1/2 inches, blade width approximately 5 3/4 inches.

A great well-used set, ready to research and display!