Model 1943 US Intrenching Tool - Folding Shovel, M43 AF & H Co. 1943, American Fork & Hoe Company, Entrenching

I am always on the look out for the original, Model 1943 US Intrenching Tools, also known as the "folding shovel".  When I say, ORIGINAL, I am talking about the 1943 dated shovels.  

The 1943 shovel with my 1943 pick-mattock.

Well, I found another!  This original 1943 dated shovel had been overlooked and the seller made me a great deal.  It's now at home in the "Bunker" with its relatives!

The Model 1943 US Intrenching Tool was the very first model of US made folding shovel.  They were only made for a couple of months in 1943, before the 1944 dated shovels started rolling off of the line.

For a comparison between my 1943 Ames shovel and this 1943 AF&H Co. shovel, you can see my blog page here:
https://sharky-fourbees.blogspot.com/2019/02/us-model-1943-intrenching-tool.html 

The first shovels were made in September and had a tightening nut that was made of " phenol formaldehyde that was filled with macerated canvas".  It was quickly evident that this was not going to hold up to the rigors of field use, so the next batch was made with an "alloy" nut.  Again, it was decided that this was not tough enough, and finally, in the beginning of December, 1943, it was specified that cast aluminum was to be used.  

So you can see, the shovels that were actually issued out to the troops, were only manufactured and stamped for around two months at most!  This makes these 1943 dated shovels "rare", or at least seldom seen.  When you do see them, they often go for "top dollar" prices........ unless you're lucky like me, and find one that fell through the cracks.
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The early, 1943 dated shovels were only made by three manufacturers: American Fork & Hoe Company, Ames, and Woods.  I now have an Ames and an American Fork & Hoe shovel.  I am on the look out for a Woods made shovel so that I can have all three.  The search continues!

This particular shovel that we're looking at today was made by American Fork & Hoe Company.  It is stamped AF&H Co.  It is also stamped US and has the 1943 date. 

These 1943 dated shovels all seem to have very light stamps.  It makes me wonder if they were stamped by hand (US, Manufacturer, & Year).  (And yes, the US actually, officially named these shovels "Intrenching", not Entrenching!)

This shovel was most likely painted with Olive Drab paint per the US Military specifications.  Now it only shows a faint trace of the old OD paint here and there.

These are beautiful and heavy duty shovels!  It is especially wonderful to have one of the "originals" in the collection.  If you look at how WW2 progressed, from December of 1943, until the end of the war in 1945, you will get an idea of where this shovel may have seen duty.  It is a true piece of history. 

If you'd like to see my US Model 1910, T-Handle, 1943 dated shovel, you check it out here.  This is shovel that the folding M43 replaced in 1943.

https://sharky-fourbees.blogspot.com/2016/03/us-model-1910-t-handle-shovel-dated.html 

Here is a link to my 1943 dated Pick-Mattock that is pictured in the opening group shot.

https://sharky-fourbees.blogspot.com/2017/08/us-m-1910-pick-mattock-ww2-issued.html 

I'll dig out the 1943 Ames shovel for an upcoming blog write-up, but until then, here's the 1943 American Fork & Hoe: