US M-1943 Entrenching Tool
Front and back view, folded.

US M-1943 Entrenching Tool
Open for use as a shovel or ax, front view. The side below the stampings has a knife edge and is used as the ax.

US M-1943 Entrenching Tool
Open for use as a shovel or ax, back view.

US M-1943 Entrenching Tool
Locked in the middle position for use as a hoe.

US M-1943 Entrenching Tool
Stampings - US, Ames, 1944

This is a US military M-1943 entrenching tool. It was made by the Ames co. in 1944. It is typical of the type with the wood handle and metal parts all painted olive drab. The stamping on the left face side of the shovel has 3 lines with US, Ames and 1944. It can be placed in three seperate positions, folded for carring, half open for use as a hoe and fully open for use as a standard shovel and ax. The knife edge on the ax is a little beat up on this one, so I'm guessing it was used. These are well made and extremely tough. There have been many copies of these made over the years.