Bundeswehr Tri-Fold Shovel, Folding Entrenching Tool, 1987 with Flektarn Carrier - Cover, Klappspaten

Lately I've been trying to fill in all the little "missing spots" in the shovel collection, and I realized that I did not have the German version of the US, Tri-Fold shovel.  Well, the opportunity came along to pick one up, along with the Flektarn shovel carrier, at a more than perfect price, so like any good shovel collector, I snapped it up!

These German Tri-Fold shovels are nearly identical to the original, US versions, but are actually built to a heavier, and more durable standard.  In other words, over built, like nearly all German gear.  

The US came out with the first tri-fold shovel back in 1967.  Some time after that, Germany made their version for the Bundeswehr, and other federal agencies.  (I'm still unclear as the exact date Germany adopted the tri-fold shovel).

You can read about the US version on my blog posting here:
https://sharky-fourbees.blogspot.com/2011/03/us-m-67-e-tool-tri-fold-shovel-model.html

On the surface, the US and German shovels are the same, but there are a few distinct differences.  I'll do a full, side-by-side, comparison between the US and German versions in the next post.  For now I'll just point out a couple of the obvious differences.

Here is the link to the "Side-By-Side" shovel comparison, German to US tri-folders:
https://sharky-fourbees.blogspot.com/2019/10/us-tri-fold-m-67-entrenching-shovel.html 

The first difference is the color.  The German shovels are painted green. The US version is black.

The second difference that is readily noticeable, is the handle-to-blade mount.   The US version uses the same style mount that was used on the older folding shovels.  The Germans used a more "squared", four rivet mount.

These tri-fold shovels are built heavy.  They are made out of steel, not lighter aluminum.  On my scale, the shovel weighs in at 2 pounds, 8.2 ounces. (1 Kg, 20g).  Not a lightweight shovel by any means, but much lighter and more compact than the previous German folders.
You can read about the two previous versions at the following links:

https://sharky-fourbees.blogspot.com/2019/02/german-klappspaten-folding-shovel-bgs.html

http://sharky-fourbees.blogspot.com/2015/10/bundeswehr-klapspaten-west-german-army.html

My shovel is dated 1987.   On one side of the shovel handle, it is marked BUND 87.  The BUND marking indicates it was made for German Federal service.  87 indicates the year.

The blade is marked with the contract and item specification numbers.

The shovel covers that are most often seen for these shovels, are the classic Flektarn camo versions.

My cover is dated 1995.

Printed on the inside of the cover, on the top flap, is the specification number and "Klappspaten", which means "folding shovel" in German. 

On the back of the cover, there are mounting plates for the old Bundeswehr combat belt system.  These mounts only work with the correct belt, as the holes in the belt must line up perfectly.  So, if you ever pick one of these covers up, you will have to carry it solo, use it with a German combat belt system, or devise an adapter to mount on other styles of belts. 

Like the shovels, these camo covers are also built tough!

We'll take a closer comparison look at the US and German tri-fold shovels in the next blog post, but until then, let's look closer at this Bundeswehr Klappspaten and Flektarn cover.