BACKGROUND: Combat Engineer personnel were issued assorted specialized equipment designed to meet their needs as the spearhead troops tasked with destroying enemy obstacles and creating forward defensive positions for their own troops in the face of the enemy. Besides the engineer’s assault packs, explosive tool kits, cross-cut field saws were a long handle shovel and pickaxes as opposed to the short entrenching tools issued to regular infantry personnel.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly 16 1/2" long, horizontal, cast iron pick-axe. Cast into the side of the axe are the makers initials "GB" along with the date 1938. The axe head is secured to the handle by friction and the inertia from swinging the axe. The axe handle is tapered so the head will not come off while in use, but it will easily slide off the other end of the handle when its time to break it down for disassembly. The 37" handle looks most likely to be construction for a single piece of beech wood. No visible markings on the handle. The pick-axe shows the obvious signs of age and use, but is complete and in overall good condition.

GRADE ***3/4                                 PRICE $238.00