Best Entrenching Tools

Original Item: Vietnam Era US Army/USMC M1956 Entrenching Tool or Shovel Canvas Carrier Cover. This is the cover that was used to carry the Vietnam Era Entrenching tool with the Pick Head attachment. These covers also have a set of M1910 belt hook grommets on the front as an additional attachment point for other accessories. Offered in solid but used condition. Two Alice clips included. All covers dated in the late 1950s through the 1960's with U.S. ink stamp to front. Color, markings, and condition vary. History of the M-1956 Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment There was little change in World War II web gear until 1956, after the Korean War, when a major redesign was issued. Measures Approximately 10" x 7 Components of M-1956 LBE The new system of web gear and pack was called the Load-Carrying Equipment (M-1956). As described in FM 21-15, the main components were: Individual Equipment Belt (pistol belt) Suspenders (Load Bearing) Field Pack (butt pack) Entrenching Tool Carrier Ammunition Cases Canteen Cover First Aid Case/Compass Pouch Sleeping Bag Carrier The M-1956 Load-Carrying Equipment was lightweight, with only a small pack. Its components were still made of cotton canvas webbing, same as used in World War II, but they introduced the slide clip fasteners (sometimes called Alice clips, but ALICE equipment came later). The slide clip keepers replaced the old-style M1910 wire hooks for all attachments. The Individual Equipment Belt was manufactured with two types of weave, horizontal or vertical. The belts had metal tab closures and three rows of grommetted holes that could accept the M-1910 hooks from older equipment that could continue to be used. The Load Bearing Suspenders came in three lengths -- Regular, Long and Extra-Long -- that attached to the top row of grommets of the Individual Equipment Belt. The M-1956 Load-Carrying Equipment