robinb Posted March 26, 2009 Share #1 Posted March 26, 2009 I picked up this shortened "T" handle shovel years ago, but got no history with it. It's been "field shortened". That is to say that the workmanship isn't perfect. Not a factory job for sure. It still has some USMC forest green paint left on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinb Posted March 26, 2009 Author Share #2 Posted March 26, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinb Posted March 26, 2009 Author Share #3 Posted March 26, 2009 The work was done a long time ago. Nice patina on the rivets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinb Posted March 26, 2009 Author Share #4 Posted March 26, 2009 And here's the reason that I suspect it to be USMC issued. This photo was taken on Guam. That shovel looks mighty short to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UPNATM Posted March 26, 2009 Share #5 Posted March 26, 2009 Maybe it could be an airborne cutdown? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patriot Posted March 26, 2009 Share #6 Posted March 26, 2009 Maybe it could be an airborne cutdown? That was my first reaction. AB troops needed a shortened shovel for practical and safety reasons during a jump. It makes you wonder why a Marine would need a shortened shovel? It seems that it would make it more difficult to dig a fox hole, so why would it be shortened by choice? Were all shortened M-1910's field shortened, or were some factory modified? Patriot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YankeeDiv26 Posted March 26, 2009 Share #7 Posted March 26, 2009 Very nice! Short T-handles are few and far between! I know someone who got his when his driveway was being repaved. The guy doing it used it to mix cement!!!! My collector friend brought out every shovel from his garage and offered him to trade any one for the T-Handle. He got it in exchange for a garden shovel and cleaned it up nicely -Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbmilitaria Posted March 27, 2009 Share #8 Posted March 27, 2009 I have an example identical to the one pictured above. I've always considered mine airborne. Notice the shovel head and hand grips have also been cut down a bit compared to a normal T-handle. Nice find!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinb Posted March 2, 2023 Author Share #9 Posted March 2, 2023 Guam 1944. Another short T handle shovel picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Persian Gulf Command Posted March 2, 2023 Share #10 Posted March 2, 2023 Here is a comparison of a Marine Short M1910 vs. an ETO Airborne. The PTO Marine is a darker "Jungle" Green. ETO is a lighter OD color. I also have assumed that the Marine Shorty often had the blunter spade while the ETO Army had the more pointed spade shape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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