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M-1938 Wire-Cutters
These are called M-1938 wire cutters and they were issued to the soldiers who stormed the beaches at D-Day. They were for cutting through the barbwire obstacles that Rommel left as another greeting card. You'll often find them in web pouches with 1944 dates because they made so many at that time. They used many different manufactures for the pouches and also the cutters because they needed so many in a short time.
They covered them in cosmoline
and some were coated completely in rubber to protect them from corrosion caused by sea water. When I got this pair I thought it was corrosion at first but it's original old cosmoline that's supposed to be there so I left it.
I've been told the HKP stamp on the cutters stands for the H. K. Porter Company that's still around today making all kinds of electrical tools and components. I've used this pair a couple of times to cut heavy gauge wire and they still cut through it like a hot knife through butter.
~ Harlan
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Thank You to Harlan (Deceased) For This Useful Post:
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11-19-2011 02:56 AM
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I had a later year set, 1944. On the cutters and pouch. Also HKP marked.
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The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to JimF4M1s (Deceased) For This Useful Post:
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I hadn't seen USMC stamped before, thanks.
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Yes, those USMC marked cutters are TOO cool! 
Are the web carriers dated 1944 conec? They say that there were a ton of pouches made up just for D-Day and used all the cutters they could get.
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Originally Posted by
Harlan
Yes, those USMC marked cutters are TOO cool!
Are the web carriers dated 1944 conec? They say that there were a ton of pouches made up just for D-Day and used all the cutters they could get.
The transitional OD/khaki carrier is...
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Love that transitional gear! That's the first early dated pouch I've seen. Both are very cool!
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I like the green piping on a khaki body.
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So do I, Jim. I probably paid more than I should have for the shovel above, but it was in good condition, and the early design with only a single placement for the hangar, and 'transitional' color.
As most things, it was a high price five years ago but I'm seeing them go for higher now than I paid then. It seems to not hurt you so much in the long run paying a little high for most things in good condition and a little rarer even though it stings a bit when you buy it.
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