Author Topic: New cannon tool.  (Read 1022 times)

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Offline Victor3

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New cannon tool.
« on: April 19, 2009, 09:49:49 PM »
 I sometimes have to dig to set a mortar platform, recover a projectile, etc. This is usually done with an old US mil entrenching tool that's seen better days.

 Today I was at my local surplus store and found a really neat one to replace it...













 I'm not one to get excited about a folding shovel, but this one is sturdier than any I've seen. The pick and the piece the handle goes into are cast steel, not stampings. The square spring-loaded locking piece is machined steel and can be removed for cleaning. Cover is nicely done from thick leather. Looks like it will be a useful tool, and appropriate for cannon-related tasks.

 I don't know what country made it. Only word I can find (stamped into the leather) is "Pausch." They were all dated 1964 & '65.

 It will look good in the duffle bag with my cannon related goodies, and the color matches my French 75.  ;D

 If anyone's interested, here's the website for the store I got it from...

http://www.majorsurplus.com/Dig-It-with-our-Military-E-Tool-with-Cover-P15082C1968.aspx

 
"It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly, one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts."

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Offline KABAR2

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Re: New cannon tool.
« Reply #1 on: April 20, 2009, 03:25:33 AM »
Your new entrenching tool is West German cold war era,

great tool I've had them in the past work great, sold great.

Although I like a longer handle shovel these days better on the back.
Mr president I do not cling to either my gun or my Bible.... my gun is holstered on my side so I may carry my Bible and quote from it!

Sed tamen sal petrae LURO VOPO CAN UTRIET sulphuris; et sic facies tonituum et coruscationem si scias artficium

Offline Cannoneer

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Re: New cannon tool.
« Reply #2 on: April 20, 2009, 07:54:36 AM »
Hey Victor; nice shovel!
RIP John. While on vacation July 4th 2013 in northern Wisconsin, he was ATVing with family and pulled ahead of everyone and took off at break-neck speed without a helmet. He lost control.....hit a tree....and the tree won.  He died instantly.

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Offline seacoastartillery

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Re: New cannon tool.
« Reply #3 on: April 20, 2009, 10:42:54 AM »
      Victor3,   I didn't get too excited when I bought one of these back in our Millenium year.  But, whether you are digging mortar pits or just sand at the beach, (back in 2000 when our two Mastiffs were just three years old, Nancy and I used to dig big trenches on the Florida beaches on St. Georges Island to give them a cool place to lie while we challenged the kids with swimming races, etc.).  I think mine has faired quite well during it's nine year test period.

     The spiffy leather cover on mine was the first casualty of actual use, but you seem to be a particularly meticulous machinist, I bet you will carefully oil your's after each use and place it back in the cover.  In fact your military entrenching tool will probably look pristine 9 years from now!  Anyone who has all those baby food jars actually labeled with the screw sizes like you do in your garage, will probably be a better steward of Cold War Era military shovels than I am............ ;D ;D

Tracy

Mine is a 1965 model, a very good year for entrenching tool manufacture.  4"x6"x6', 10' and 12' timbers are all over the shop; you can hardly move any more.  Can't wait till the Paixhans' Mortar platform and bed it finished!!




Shovel blade has VERY good paint to have this much left after nine years.  Timber cutting and timber hole boring fixtures are everywhere.  I hate it when you feel foolish to shovel all the wood chips off the floor each evening.

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Offline Victor3

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Re: New cannon tool.
« Reply #4 on: April 21, 2009, 12:15:29 AM »
          The spiffy leather cover on mine was the first casualty of actual use, but you seem to be a particularly meticulous machinist, I bet you will carefully oil your's after each use and place it back in the cover.  In fact your military entrenching tool will probably look pristine 9 years from now!  Anyone who has all those baby food jars actually labeled with the screw sizes like you do in your garage, will probably be a better steward of Cold War Era military shovels than I am............ ;D ;D

Tracy

 Tracy,

 I'll call myself "a particularly meticulous machinist" as soon as I can replicate your version of the Parrott 100 Pdr. I don't rekun that will be any time soon. ;)

 Thanks for the pics of your 'veteran' entrenching tool. Mine will probably look similar shortly; I may have a lot of time to get out and shoot soon, rather than just sit in front of this 'puter and talk about it like I mostly do...
"It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly, one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts."

Sherlock Holmes