German WW1 shovel and cover opinions

[MG4514]

Is this a original German WW1 shovel and cover with Finnish reissue stamps? Thanks, Martin

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[PlaceOfBayonets]

All I know about these is that they were copied and that they all look the same unless you know them well.

I think, not sure but think the hole tells you it was used post WWI by the post war German government or a foreign military.

SA? The German Stormtroopers AKA the SA?

W.

[Hans K.]

You're spot on Martin, that's exactly what you have there. SA stands for something like Suomen Armeija (Finnish Army).

Hans

[MG4514]

Opps, misfire.

[MG4514]

So is this a true WW1 German manufactured shovel and cover? Is the lack of a manufacture date something the Germans did? Martin

[1corps]

Martin, the shovel cover does look German manufacturer and they were not always dated. The sewn belt loops usually indicate earlier manufacture and being a natural brown finish. The later issued examples were riveted usually. By 1916 or so the army turned to black field gear and a lot these were dyed black to accomodate regulations. The standard issue German shovel has the folded ears and is riveted. This shovel is probably Russian and re-issued to the Finnish Army with the SA stamp post war. The hole is to adapt to Finnish attachment system. I hope that helps. Mike.

[Chip M]

This is a Russian shovel. I believe only the early German examples ever had any dates on them. I have yet to see a standard issue infantry shovel dated after 1914. I have also not seen one with the riveted "ears" dated after 1914. I'm not saying they were not made after the war broke out, just that I have not seen one that had later dates (and I have been inspecting these shovels for a long time! ).

Chip

P.S I've got one entry in my leather goods makers data base from this maker, which is also a shovel carrier (could be the same one!). Without a date there is no proof that it is of WWI manufacture, but the name and the construction point to that.