20th Century US Military Shovels

I have had the reference book "Doughboy To GI : US Army Clothing And Equipment 1900 - 1945" since I was a kid.  I liked watching old War Movies and was interested in the stuff the soldiers were using.  My Grandfather was also in the Army Air Forces during WW2.  My Mom had three Uncles in the Marine Corps.  My reference book was mainly just photos of one guy's collection of militaria and didn't have an example of every US Military issued item.  Sometimes I see something not in my extensive reference book.  I have been trying to make an effort to study equipment from other periods and nations.

This set of photos gives information about the types of U.S. Military issue Entrenching Tool shovels from the 20th Century.  The WW1 style M-1910 T-Handle Shovel was manufactured in both World Wars.  First World War examples have a double "US" marking.  One is on the metal part of the handle and the other is on the wood part of the handle.  Second World War T-Handle shovels do not have the double "US" marking.  Sometimes WW2 era T-Shovels have manufacturer markings with dates.  Also, First World War examples are of a cruder more blacksmith forged looking construction.  Second World War examples look more factory manufactured.  The U.S. Military stopped having the WW1 T-Handle design manufactured in 1943.  A copy of the German Folding Shovel design was adopted by the U.S. Military.  This was the M-1943 Entrenching Tool.  There was however a M-1945 Marine Corps used design that had the head and handle of the M-1943, but did not fold.  It saw use by the Marine Corps during 1945 in the Pacific Theater.  The Marine Corps had the M-1945 "Jiffy Shovel" Entrenching Tool made because they had a bunch of the older M-1910 T-Handle Shovel Covers.  There was also a M-1945 Folding Shovel with a pick attachment that did not see see use in the Second World War because they were issued in late 1945.  The M-1945 shovel with the pick attachment was used in the Korean War and the Vietnam War era.  The Shovel cover was modified in the 1960s to hang a bayonet on while warn on a backpack.  During the late 1960s a M-1968 Try-Folding Shovel was adopted by the U.S. Military and saw use until after the end of the 20th Century.  I have seen a M-1968 Tri-Folding Shovel that had a "10" 2010 date.  They saw use in to the Iraq War era.   

There have also been other types of E-Tools.  There was the M-1910 Hand Pick, the M-1910 Hand Axe, and larger shovels that mount on vehicles.

The M-1945 Marine Corps Shovel type is not shown in my "Doughboy To GI" reference book.  It is a good book to have, but is doesn't show everything.