Do I have the correct M1956 etool cover? How to date. It fit's too tight. Help!! LONG

New guy, new to collecting. Know nothing,,,lol.

So I recently acquired what I believe is a M1951 entrenching tool. I was just looking for a cheap folding shovel for camping. This was advertised as a "JEEP TOOL". I got it for $15.

After some research I found out that it's a 1966 etool made by Ames. Cool. So I decided I had to have a cover.

I found plenty to choose from on ebay. There was one on there being represented as a M1956 cover and having a 1966 date code. DSA 100. Is this correct? The seller gave me a good explanation of how he dated them. I believed him. He did not know my etool was a 1966.

I also asked was it normal to have a matching date code. He said nearly impossible. He had only seen a couple of instances. So weather or not it adds any value, I think I have matching date codes.

Now the problem is I can not get this thing to go all the way down in the cover. The flaps on the shovel miss the leather by about 1/4''. Not sure if that's normal or not. I've spent a lot of time jerking this in and out. It's got better. But I think it's done.

I can see the center leather strip that rides the rivets is worn through, and has created a hole on the back of the cover. This shovel did not do it. So I'm wondering if this cover is made out of spec.

Or is it just the wrong cover for the etool with a pick. But if it has that DSA 100 date code, seems like it would be correct.

I admit the etool is kinda dirty and rusty. I will clean it up and see if that helps matters. I'm guessing the cover has shrunk from years in storage. Is there anything I can do to the cover to loosen it up. Could I get it wet and let it dry on the shovel. I've heard that's how to get a pair of leather boots to fit good,,,lol.

Sorry for rambling.




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Looks like both your etool and cover need some use. That should both clean the etool and stretch the cover's material t fit.

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Originally Posted by Daan Kemp

Looks like both your etool and cover need some use. That should both clean the etool and stretch the cover's material t fit.

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Ya. I'm out of pb blaster right now. But I think I'll hit it with some WD and a wire brush and see what happens.

The covers were shrunk by washing them and then throwing them in the drier. If you soak it and stretch it and set it to dry away from direct heat, it'll help fit again. Now, steel wool and oil the shovel... Have it ready for morning inspection...

Unfortunately the M1956 canvas covers were not designed for the e-tool that you have. The e-tool that you have has the pick end on it which prevents the e-tool from sliding all the way into canvas cover. As some folks suggested wetting the canvas and leather should stretch it to point where you can get the e-tool into the canvas case.

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

... Have it ready for morning inspection...

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Jim-- Your comment reminds me of an incident that took place while I was Officer's Candidate School at Ft. Benning, GA where the US Army teaches the future officers the finer things of being an officer and a gentleman including the mess hall. While in the mess hall for the supper meal. One of our classmates from the South was using his knife to eat peas. I personally have never seen anyone eat peas with a knife before. The gentleman from the South would carefully balance the peas on his knife while eating them. Well, one of tac officers was carefully watching him as well and could not believe his eyes. The Southern gentleman's fatal mistake was that one of peas fell off the knife and on to the floor. At this point you would have thought our Southern gentleman had committed a mortal sin!! The tac officer flew into a rage and stated that if your people want to eat like pigs so be it!! He ordered everyone out of the mess hall and to go and get their e-tools which had to be clean and ready for inspection at all times. Well the day before we had classes on the building of field fortifications and had to dig a number of two man fox holes and MG emplacements so the red Georgia clay was embedded into the e-tools. Well some the candidates did not clean their e-tools from the previous days activities. That night supper meal was steak, mash potatoes and gravy with green peas as a side dish. Have you ever tried to cut a piece of steak with an e-tool? Or eat green peas with the end of shovel part? There was steak, mash potatoes, gravy and green peas all over the mess hall and ourselves which infuriated the tac officers even more. At the time I did not think it was funny but now I can only laugh!!

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Originally Posted by fjruple

an incident that took place

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Must admit although I never instigated something like that, we did our share. Now days that would be clear abuse of authority...by position or rank... Would have been a bit disgusting too. But, the tac offrs got what they paid for.

Wow! You got steak? I was in the army for three years and I don't think I got steak more than ten times. The steak I got on my last day was exceptional, I must admit.