BACKGROUND: Each Division in the German army, and the Waffen-SS, had an organic Pionier, (Combat Engineer), battalion that consisted of personnel specially trained in destroying enemy obstacles, creating forward defensive positions, bridging and assault tactics. As the spearhead troops the Engineer’s were issued with assorted specialized equipment including assault packs, explosive tool kits, demolition charges, pick axes, saws, long handle shovels and wire cutters. The Engineer’s were issued two models of wire cutters enabling personnel to cut through barbwire entanglements. The wire cutters came in both a short and a long model and both were issue with a carrying case that was to be worn on the load carrying waist belt. This example is for the short model wire cutters. Of Note: As the spearhead troops, personnel serving with an Engineer unit, generally experienced higher casualties rates then standard

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A WWI canvas and leather wire cutter carrying case that was reissued for use in WWII. The case is constructed from two pieces of canvas sewn together at the sides to create a pouch. The pouch is 14" tall by 6 3/4" wide at the top and tapering down to 4 1/2" at the curved bottom. The top has a fold over flap with a slightly curved edge that extends about 3" from the back piece of canvas and has sewn to it a 3 15/16" leather strap with three adjustment holes. The strap mates with a 1 1/4" folded strap with a single prong roller buckle sewn to the front of the case. The last 4 5/8" of the case is sandwiched by pieces of leather to create a reinforced area for the heavy head of the cutters. Sewn to the reverse is a 8" long by 1 3/4" wide piece of leather that is folded over and its ends sewn together to create a 3" belt loop. Folded over an sewn to the all the edges is a reinforcing strip of tan-colored leather. Printed to the under side of the flap is what appears to be "Boltschalk" some indecipherable words and the date "1917". The front leather piece is well marked with an impressed Eagle over "M", indicating Kriegsmarine issue. The case is in very good shape considering it’s age and use with light staining and a few scratches and scuff marks to the leather.

GRADE***1/2                             PRICE $176.00