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Shovel Autism Thread Part 2: Entrenching Tool Collection Edition
The MPL-50 is an old design, invented by Danish officer Mads Linnemann in 1869. It was quickly adopted by most European powers, and most of the entrenching tools in my collection evolved from it
Hungarian M1950, 19 inches long, birch handle. This is, in my opinion, almost perfectly balanced, simple but effective, light but robust. My personal favorite
Austro-Hungarian M1910, first world war era. Beech handle, 22" long. This is a refined, old world piece of equipment. A little too heavy to carry, but comfy to use. Note hand sharpening marks
Soviet Russian simplified MPL-50. Made in 1944, wartime production. Birch handle. 22" long. Acquired in eastern Europe. Birch handle. Highly robust, utilitarian, commonly used as a weapon as well as a multitool
Romanian cold war era MPL-50 thing. Oak handle. 20" long. The crudest military issue tool I've ever seen. Not even symmetrical. Rough welds instead of rivets. It works I guess. Made by orks?
Late Soviet MPL-50. Made in 1984. Birch handle. 20" long. Better finish but chintzier construction than earlier example.
Austrian improvement on US M43 folding shovel. Ash handle. Cold war era. Blade has deeper curve and improved 3 position locking collar. Too heavy, like most folding shovels, but very nice to use. My main garden tending companion
Finnish second world war pattern, made from russian blade. Birch handle. 26" long. Sturdy, well made, but excessively large. @MidwestSiberia1 any idea what this stamp means?
Finnish pre second world war. Birch one piece handle. 26" long. A lovely piece of craftsmanship. May be Swedish made, given as war aid
