Entrenching tool

MP38 · 01-25-2012, 02:41 PM

Maker marked, but tough to read. Overall length is 18.5 inches.

Is it wartime or post war? and any idea of value?

Thanks,
Matt

alanint · 01-25-2012, 03:23 PM

Any wartime entrenching shovel will have fairly clear Waffenamps. The Swiss had an almost identical tool, so this is a possibility. The originals are usually more square at the blade, but this may be showing wear. Originals also usually had a prominent ball or swell at the tip of the wooden handle.
Real, wartime German tools retail for $100-$120 or so.

MP38 · 01-25-2012, 07:01 PM

It is definately German. The maker marking is difficult to read, but I can make out "RUSER"on the top line, and "Germany" on the bottom line clearly. I've never seen one this size either. That's why I'm asking if anyone knows what it's for? or if it is wartime or not?
I can't find any waffenampts on it, but the blade is quite worn.

The front of the blade has almost a "sharp" edge on it as well. Perhaps it's even pre-nazi era? It looks to be a perfect size for chopping at someone's neck!!!?!

Any other thoughts?

Thanks,
Matt

alanint · 01-25-2012, 07:45 PM

A nazi era shovel would NEVER say "Germany" in English. I think this is a post war shovel made for the outdoor/camping industry by using the wartime dies....

MP38 · 01-26-2012, 10:41 AM

That's what I thought as well. Any idea of value?

Matt

01-25-2012, 02:41 PM	#1
MP38 User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 464 Thanks: 36 Thanked 113 Times in 60 Posts	Entrenching tool Maker marked, but tough to read. Overall length is 18.5 inches. Is it wartime or post war? and any idea of value? Thanks, Matt Attached Thumbnails

01-25-2012, 03:23 PM	#2
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Any wartime entrenching shovel will have fairly clear Waffenamps. The Swiss had an almost identical tool, so this is a possibility. The originals are usually more square at the blade, but this may be showing wear. Originals also usually had a prominent ball or swell at the tip of the wooden handle. Real, wartime German tools retail for $100-$120 or so.

01-25-2012, 07:01 PM	#3
MP38 User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 464 Thanks: 36 Thanked 113 Times in 60 Posts	It is definately German. The maker marking is difficult to read, but I can make out "RUSER"on the top line, and "Germany" on the bottom line clearly. I've never seen one this size either. That's why I'm asking if anyone knows what it's for? or if it is wartime or not? I can't find any waffenampts on it, but the blade is quite worn. The front of the blade has almost a "sharp" edge on it as well. Perhaps it's even pre-nazi era? It looks to be a perfect size for chopping at someone's neck!!!?! Any other thoughts? Thanks, Matt

01-25-2012, 07:45 PM	#4
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	A nazi era shovel would NEVER say "Germany" in English. I think this is a post war shovel made for the outdoor/camping industry by using the wartime dies....

01-26-2012, 10:41 AM	#5
MP38 User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 464 Thanks: 36 Thanked 113 Times in 60 Posts	That's what I thought as well. Any idea of value? Matt