M1943 Entrenching Tool "Reject"

[TeamScience]

Here's an M43 e-tool I recently acquired.  I hadn't noticed until after I made the purchase, but there is a "REJECT" stamp on the handle.  I believe the reason for the rejection are two cracks in the pivot piece.  There appears to be OD paint inside the cracks, which leads me to suspect that they were noticed after the e-tool was manufactured, but were not caused by use.  I thought it was kind of interesting!  Additional information always appreciated.