US Shovel

Wondering if this shovel has been used in ww2 or not. And how can I keep it in good condition? It has (US AMES 1945) stamped into the front shovel.
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It is without a doubt from ww2(Since it is dated 1945). But it would be hard to find out if it has been used during the war or not. The holder is a bit weird tho, what does it say on the back?

 

I can't quite make it out, I will look at it closer later and post what I find.

 

You can protect the iron (once cleaned) with a bit of black shoe polish: it will stop the rust and make it look great and even shiny it you wish to rub it with a brush

 

This site sort of covers how to tell the "real from the fake", and I think your cover is also possibly authentic, the "snaps" seem a bit off, but as it is a late production model they might be correct.

Goto:

eBay Guides - U.S. Entrenching Tool Identification -- Spot a Fake

There are similar covers listed in that site.

 

I examined the back and it reads, "Carrier Entrenching Tool M 1956", or at least thats what I think it says. The carrier could be from Korea, well I did get it from an antique garage sale.

 

Well, the shovel is from ww2, but not the carrier... How much did you pay for it?

 

About $30

 

Nice bargain.

 

Thanks, how much would you expect on to be?

 

Hmm, i wouldn't know about the price the usually cost, but i bought one on a Norwegian army sale(The used them after the war), it was from 1944 and it cost about 15 euros.