Original Item: Only One Available. 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 12, 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.

The entrenching tool consists of a roughly, 13” long turned hardwood handle with an enlarged ball head for ease of handling and a roughly, 7” x 5 ¾” 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. Nicely maker marked obp with a 1943 date, for maker Carl Krampe Wwe, in Rummenohl, Westfalen.

The second pattern carrier is black prestoff construction "closed back", entrenching tool carrying case. The case features a triple layered, closed back frame in the shape of the entrenching tools head. The outer edges of the frame all have heavy machine stitched seams. The top edge of the case has two leather loops designed to secure the case to the individuals waist belt. The bottom edge of the case has a single layered, horizontal leather panel with a diagonally angled, leather closure strap to the left side and a corresponding pronged sheet metal buckle to the right side. The closure strap would be wrapped around the handle of the entrenching tool to secure it in the case. The case has no visible markings.

The overall condition of both items is quite nice and does show honest wear and use.

A beautiful addition to any collection. Comes more than ready for further research and display.