WW2 US Army M43 Folding Shovel

The WW2 US Army M43 Folding Shovel is a standard-issue entrenching tool adopted by United States military forces in 1943. Designed for portability and practical use in field conditions, this shovel features a collapsible design with a blade that folds against the handle for compact storage. The blade is constructed from stamped steel and includes a locking mechanism that allows it to be used in both open and folded, pick-like positions. The handle is typically made of hardwood, contributing to both durability and reduced weight. The M43 model was widely utilized by infantry for tasks such as digging foxholes, constructing defensive positions, and general field engineering. Its practical design influenced subsequent entrenching tools used in later conflicts. This entrenching tool represents typical US military equipment issued during the Second World War and holds significance for collectors and historians of twentieth-century military gear.