OD#3 body, bound with 1 inch OD#3 tape, and re-inforced inside with 2" webbing and leather. Made in USA.

M1943 Folding Shovels and Carriers

As the M1910 T-handle shovel was inconvenient to carry (that's the nice way to word it), the Quartermaster introduced a much improved entrenching tool in 1943. These were intended to replace the previous shovel, but the remaining stock of M1910's were to be issued until the supply was exhausted. Thus, it is historically correct for men in the same unit to carry a mix of the two shovels.

Yes, Paratroopers used both types, side by side within the same unit. Both the M1910 and the M1943 were issued to all units irrespective of jump status. Individual soldiers certainly had preferences for on one the other, but they were all the same to the quartermaster.

Covers
Our M1943 covers are made just like the originals. The body is made from heavy #8 cotton canvas, edged with 1" binding tape and sewn with heavy khaki thread on Union Special brand walking foot machines from the 1940's. It is reinforced on the inside with leather panels and the bottom with heavy duty CE rivets. They will fit both original W.W.II (and postwar) U.S. issue shovels as well as the Dutch (and Belgian?) versions.

Care: Hand clean & air dry only! Machine washing and/ or dryers will cause shrinkage and damage to hardware.

Made in USA