U.S. WWII M1943 Entrenching Tool Shovel Canvas Cover Carrier

New Made Item: Copied directly from an original M1943 cover in the IMA collection this is made nearly exactly like an original. Constructed of OD Green #3 canvas with one inch OD Green #7 tape and reinforced inside with 2" webbing and genuine leather and heavy duty steel rivets. Will fit both original WW2 (and postwar) U.S. issue shovels as well as many European versions.

History of the M-1943 Folding Shovels and Carriers: as the M1910 T-handle shovel was cumbersome to carry in 1943 the Quartermaster introduced a much improved entrenching tool. These Etools were intended to replace the Model 1910 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. 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.