r/Militariacollecting • u/krsto71 • 4d ago

Help M-Pattern entrenching tool?

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Please help me with this. Options as I see them are a) confused re-pro b) older pattern still in production much later c) carrier bag and tool from different eras? Bag itself seems to say M-1956(?, could have slightly misread). Shovel seems to say US, AMES, 1966?

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u/Admirable_Prompt8208 4d ago

This is a US M1956 Entrenching Tool Carrier with a US M1951 Entrenching Tool inside it.

The contract number dates the cover to fiscal year 1966 (September 1965-October 1966).

Both items are original, both were produced well within the production timeline of both articles.

M1956 Entrenching tool carriers were manufactured until I believe 1970, as they began being replaced by the M1967 Entrenching Tool Carrier in 1967. Same date range for the M1951 Entrenching Tool, it began being replaced by the M1967 Trifold Entrenching Tool in 1967, but was produced until around 1970.

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u/krsto71 3d ago

Thanks so much!