Model 1910 shovel covers

[RCS]

Note how the attaching hooks are mounted on an angle on the USMC marked USS MISS cover while the USS WYOM (Wyoming) cover has the hooks centered. Did the USMC have a special shovel cover ?Attachment 24172Attachment 24173

Information

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[LimeyCarbineLover]

Way nice shovel covers RCs...and indeed you are correct..one is earlier than the other and the USMC specific belt hooks denote this......one is a depot made shovel cover and one is an issue shovel cover (later)
The strap buckles should bear this out......any evidence inside them of the PQD ink stamp or the USMC fiscal year stamp ?

The USS Miss one is possibly WW1 vintage...

Regards

Lloyd

[Harlan (Deceased)]

I don't know if they attached that mount at an angle on purpose, but yes, the Marine Corps made many shovel covers themselves at marine depots as well as a lot of their other web gear. Sometimes they sowed the hook attachment lower on the cover than was done for covers made by the myriad of contractors for the Army. With it mounted lower the shovel rode higher so the handle didn't get in the way as much.

You can distinguish a lot of gear made by the Marines by the lack of a 'US' stamp on it. They still used a lot of gear made for the Army and sometimes even removed the 'US' from the Army gear.

Check inside your covers to see if you can see a trace of an ink stamp remaining. Sometimes the shovel covers made at the Marine Depot will have a stamp inside the cover saying -

QUARTER MASTER DEPOT
US MARINE CORPS

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Here's an example of a USMC canteen cover made by the Marines and the design is unique to them.
They used a different 'cross over' flap design and didn't line the inside with insulation as were canteen covers made for the Army.

This one is in mint condition other than the corrosion on the fasteners I can't bring myself to clean off.
(Torn whether is should be cleaned to preserve the metal or left alone, so I've left it alone)

Regardless, the fabric is mint and has has no markings at all.

[DaveN]

I forgot I purchased two WWII entrenching tools (shovels) a 1943 and 1945. I was going to use one as a dig out tool if I got my stock jeep stuck but they are so nice I bought a modern USGI tri fold for that duty. I'll have to dig them out. Pardon the pun.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Lloyd is correct.

Sorry, I didn't mean to 'walk on you' Lloyd - You posted while I was writing and trying to ad the illustration.

~ Harlan

[LimeyCarbineLover]

Hey Harlan any info is GOOD info..especially as we are singing from the same song sheet regarding these covers.....love the MD (marine Detachment) USS-Wyoming stamp.....

Also some early USMC gear will have Nom markings too.....its a collecting interest all by itself USMC 782 Gear..

Great covers RCS...Love that QMD stamp Harlan ...NICE...

Regards

Lloyd

[RCS]

Harlan and Lloyd, thanks for the information about the covers. I was unable to find any additional markings/stamps inside either cover. Both covers had shovels in them at some point in time.
It is alway interesting to find gear with additional markings. Thanks Robert

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Harlan and Lloyd, thanks for the information about the covers. I was unable to find any additional markings/stamps inside either cover. Both covers had shovels in them at some point in time.
It is alway interesting to find gear with additional markings. Thanks Robert

Hey Robert,
I meant to get back to you earlier. I don't know if you've checked, but even on ebay you can often find original M1910 'T-Handle' shovels for $50 or less if you wanted to have one to display with your covers. Original covers are more valuable than original shovels, and your covers with Marine ship markings are much more valuable. I'd venture a guess they're probably worth in the $150-$200 range each and maybe more on a good auction day. They're too rare, especially in that condition to know how much they could sell for.
(Heck, I'll give you $50 cash money for one right now!)

Here's a shovel with paint worn off (as most are) for only $20 with no bids.

WWII US Army T-Handle Shovel, Double Stamped "US" NICE! | eBay

At about any given time if you do a search for 'WWII US Shovel' several will come up most of the time, and many have fairly low 'Buy It Now' prices. With these I wouldn't feel bad about 'restoring' one to display with your covers.

Also, while I was searching around I found an enamel canteen that's in the typical condition most are found today.



The seller has a 'hopeful' starting price of $65 for this one, but I think he's dreaming. (Who ever knows on ebay though?)
Besides the dents and chips, the top is a later replacement.
Just as it is with old guns, condition and originality means everything. The seller has probably seen mint enamel canteens sell for big dollars and thinks a beat up one would be worth a little less but they're not worth much at all in this condition.

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

I ran across this picture. Nice triple treat. Harley, Thompson, and shovel.