Today's spade is a very unique one indeed. In fact, you may not ever run across one of these out there in the collecting and memorabilia scene.
This style of full-sized, pioneer spade was issued and used by the Danish Army starting the early 1940's. I am not certain how long they have been used, but since a small batch recently found their way onto the surplus market (and I do mean a small batch of spades!), I would assume that they are no longer being used, or have been replaced with a newer model.
NOTE: Thank you to Niels who added this additional information about this shovel manufacturer: DSI : Dansk Staal Industri = Danish Steel Industry 1915 - 1981. After 1981, it was taken over by Hultafors.
NOTE: I have recently added two more of these spades to the collection. You can read about them and see photos here:
http://sharky-fourbees.blogspot.com/2015/10/two-new-danish-army-engineers-pioneer.html
NOTE: Thank you to Niels who added this additional information about this shovel manufacturer: DSI : Dansk Staal Industri = Danish Steel Industry 1915 - 1981. After 1981, it was taken over by Hultafors.
NOTE: I have recently added two more of these spades to the collection. You can read about them and see photos here:
http://sharky-fourbees.blogspot.com/2015/10/two-new-danish-army-engineers-pioneer.html
From what I understand this spade was specified, issued, and used with the Danish military version of the Mercedes "G" Wagon, 4x4, basically the European version of the US Jeep, beginning in the early 1980's. I am not certain where on the Mercedes these shovels would have been mounted, but I would imagine it was most likely under the engine hood, or inside the passenger area somewhere. I have not seen a single photo of pioneer gear (shovels, axes, picks) mounted on the outside of one of the Danish rigs.
Here's a comparative shot of the spade on the hood of my Jeep. (yes, that's me in the reflection!). This will give you a better idea of the actual size of the spade.
The spade is marked with the Danish Crown and ITT, on the blade. ITT stands for The Danish Army Engineers ( Ingenior Teknisk Tjeneste).
On the shank of the blade, it is marked DSI. I am not certain what this stands for, but it may indicate the manufacturer.
UPDATE: Thank you to Niels, who left the following information in the comments section. "DSI : Dansk Staal Industri = Danish Steel Industry 1915 - 1981 where it was taken over by
Hultafors."
I think I'll let the rest of the photos speak for themselves.
Here's a comparative shot of the spade on the hood of my Jeep. (yes, that's me in the reflection!). This will give you a better idea of the actual size of the spade.
The spade is marked with the Danish Crown and ITT, on the blade. ITT stands for The Danish Army Engineers ( Ingenior Teknisk Tjeneste).
On the shank of the blade, it is marked DSI. I am not certain what this stands for, but it may indicate the manufacturer.
UPDATE: Thank you to Niels, who left the following information in the comments section. "DSI : Dansk Staal Industri = Danish Steel Industry 1915 - 1981 where it was taken over by
Hultafors."
I think I'll let the rest of the photos speak for themselves.
Hi
ReplyDeleteDSI : Dansk Staal Industri = Danish Steel Industry 1915 - 1981 where it was taken over by
Hultafors.
Use a translation prgm, danish to your language to the following links, which gives
a brief story of danish hand tool industry
http://www.vejlewiki.dk/index.php?title=Grejsdal_Hammerv%C3%A6rk
https://a/wiki/Godthaab_Hammerv%C3%A6rk
http://bygningskultur-lt.dk/onewebmedia/Industrikultur%20i%20Lyngby-Taarb%C3%A6k%20fra%20Aras.pdf
ITT : Ingenior Teknisk Tjeneste => Engineer Technical Service was a unit under HTK
There was similar other army units in the signals, artillery etc.
HTK - Haerens Tekniske Korps ( Army Technical Corps) established in 1909 and turns into
HMAK - july 1st 1967 - Haerenes MAteriel Kommando (army material command) HMAK was called
FKF - Forsvarets Krigsmateriel Forvaltning (Defense Warmaterial Administration) between
1952 and 1961.
HMAK was until december 31. 2006 where it becomes
FMT - Forsvarets Materiel Tjeneste (Defence Material Service) replaced the previous
defense-specific equipment commands (Army Material Command, Naval Material Command
and Aircraft Command) and the Defense Research Service under the National Defence
Command it becomes
FMI - by 1. oktober 2014 Forsvarets Materiel og Indkoebsstyrelse, The Ministry of Defense's
Material and Purchasing Board is a board subject to the Ministry of Defense.and is
direct under Ministry of Defence
Just FYI :-)
Best regards Niels
Niels,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the additional information about the shovel markings and the history. It is always difficult to do research like this when the item is from a small country, and you do not know the language.
I will be reading the history, and I will add the new information to the blog posting.
Thank you again,
Sharky