Mystery Entrenching Tool

[Aragorn243]

Found this in a corner of an antique mall today. Marked as WWI Entrenching tool but I doubt the seller had a clue what it really was. I know I don't. I took a chance on it because I can't find a thing about it and it looks military for sure.

It does look like a US 1910 T-handled entrenching tool but it has a built in folding pick attached. The shovel blade is also altered, the outside inch on each side is flat rather than a continuation of the curve with the 1910. This is to allow for the folding pick.

I can't find a mark on it and am reluctant to remove paint without having some idea of what it is, rarity, value, etc. I did scrape off some rust but that's all so far. Oiled it enough to get the pick to operate properly. Basically needs pounded into place it's that tight. As marks are already on it from doing this, must be the way it's made.

Anyway, here it is, any clues, please enlighten me:

Information

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[browningautorifle]

It's just what you think, an experimental tool. I can see why it didn't go far too, there's no weight to it for the pick to work. Clumsy too. Bet you can't find another anywhere.

[Aragorn243]

Actually do have another fellow who says he has one but not with a T-handle. Says the handle on his was replaced. No markings, no history. Comparing this to the little picks I do have, I don't see a tremendous amount of difference in usability. It does look awkward but really isn't any worse than other entrenching tools and with the longer handle the pick would work just as well as the small mattocks I have. It's a pain to open and close and I would wonder about it staying in the open position. Is it rust that makes it so tight or close tolerances.

Paint kind of reminds me of Warsaw Pact stuff but why the T-handle. US is only country I can think of that used it.

[jond41403]

Did military entrenching tools have the end of the handle exposed at the shovelhead like that? All the ones I've ever seen have been covered and reinforced with steel to prevent bending. That's a neat looking entrenching tool, thanks for sharing

[Aragorn243]

1910 US shovels are fully enclosed on the end. This is similar in style but not like a 1910.

[Aragorn243]

I just got off the phone with the foremost expert on US Entrenching tools up to WWI. I had sent him photos and he figured it would be easier to talk rather than exchange emails. He has never seen anything like it. He believes it to be from the WWI time period due to shape, handle type and paint color. He suspects it is American made but can't be sure. It is not something adopted by the US military. His opinion was that it was something a private company made a limited number of to present to the military for approval and they were never approved. Said it is definitely collectible, he would have grabbed it and in the right market it could be worth a couple hundred bucks to the right guy simply because of it's uniqueness. Great book if you're into these things: US Military and Experimental Entrenching Tools: Civil War to WW1 9780982302118 | eBay