Shovel Sources

[Marcus]

Digging while an event is going on is something period correct and something I'm sure we'll be doing given the amount of work that will be needed.

What are characteristics of a WWI German shovel. I'm curious about the long and short shovels.

If these have pretty much dried up then are any of the WW2 variants close enough?? Perhaps a WW2 vehicle shovel would suffice for the long pionier shovel??

We need the full size shovels to make some headway, but I don't want to see Lowe's or Home Depot special laying around.

[edgarmac]

I picked up a Euro-surplus version at the red barn in Gettysburg that is three foot seven inches long with an eight and a half inch wide flat blade. If it had the rivets along the folded ears it would look just like the type sold by (If I remember correctly) Historic Replicators and cost over $130 less. It was unpainted but I have seen green ones - stripping the paint and sanding and refinishing the handle are easy steps toward making it look more period-correct.
I don't know it may have been East German.
EdgarMac

[edgarmac]

To add to my last post. Historic Reproductions and Restorations is accesable through the GWA website or at www.historicreproductions.com or phone [phone]. Their pioneer shovel based on one in Bill Coombs collection is $175 but very correct.
EdgarMac