Intrenching Tool
Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2025 1:42 am
Adopted in 1905, over the objections of the Ordnance Department, were intrenching tools. Clearly there was a need for them but the Ordnance Department was too much closet theory to deal with it. The General Staff forced the issue.
In 1910, the M-1910 stuff replaced the earlier pattern stuff.
In 1943, the folding one was copied from the Germans.
The QM history claims that the pick was added at the end of WW2. That didn't happen. Yes, they developed one, but it wasn't adopted at that time. Pick Mattock carriers were purchased during the Korean War, with that making it pretty clear.
On November 1st, 1951, MIL-I-11519 was adopted. This is the combination edition of the M-1943 having the pick. No longer a "shovel," it was the "Tool, Intrenching."
Probably the first procured. Harvey Whipple out of Springfield Mass. First contract was in October of 1952. Why so late? They were swimming in the M-1943s. It's not as if this was much of an improvement. It's not a tank or fighter plane or something that significant.
In 1910, the M-1910 stuff replaced the earlier pattern stuff.
In 1943, the folding one was copied from the Germans.
The QM history claims that the pick was added at the end of WW2. That didn't happen. Yes, they developed one, but it wasn't adopted at that time. Pick Mattock carriers were purchased during the Korean War, with that making it pretty clear.
On November 1st, 1951, MIL-I-11519 was adopted. This is the combination edition of the M-1943 having the pick. No longer a "shovel," it was the "Tool, Intrenching."
- 1952-1f.jpg (24.34 KiB) Viewed 1611 times
Probably the first procured. Harvey Whipple out of Springfield Mass. First contract was in October of 1952. Why so late? They were swimming in the M-1943s. It's not as if this was much of an improvement. It's not a tank or fighter plane or something that significant.