BACKGROUND: The entrenching tool was a basic item issued to all EM/NCO’s and was issued with a specific carrying case that was to be worn on the load carrying waist belt. Originally the non-folding entrenching tool utilized by the Germany army in WWII was a carryover of the WWI and Reichswehr era M1887 entrenching tool until November 12TH 1938 when a new improved, folding shovel was introduced to replace the earlier non-folding pattern. Although the new folding shovel proved more practical and popular with the troops the earlier entrenching tool was utilized right up until the end of the war. The entrenching tool was a very valuable piece of kit enabling the individual soldier to dig in for protection as required and was also utilized as a close combat weapon.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Early, non-folding pattern, entrenching tool consists of a roughly, 34.5cm long, lathed hardwood construction handle with an enlarged ball head for ease of handling and a roughly, 19cm x 15cm slightly curved, tooled steel construction shovel head. The handle is secured to the shovel head by dual extended steel sleeves with two flush, flat head retaining rivets. The obverse extended sleeve is integral to the shovel head while the reverse sleeve is a separate triangular plate that is secured to the shovel head. Comes with a first pattern brown leather construction "opened" entrenching tool carrying case with steel fittings. Marked "SA" indicating it was re-issued in Finland just after the war.