WWI Imperial German Army Entrenching Tool Carrier

The Imperial German Army entrenching tool carrier was a vital piece of field equipment designed to securely hold the standard issue spade or shovel carried by infantrymen. Typically constructed from thick brown or black leather, the carrier was made to withstand heavy field use and was attached to the waist belt by sturdy loops. The main body featured a reinforced leather pocket into which the blade of the spade was inserted, with a securing strap and buckle fastening over the handle to keep the tool firmly in place during movement.

In some variations, an additional leather strap allowed the bayonet frog to be integrated with the tool carrier, reducing the number of separate fittings on the soldier’s belt. These carriers were simple yet robust, reflecting German emphasis on functional, long-lasting field gear. Worn on the left or rear side of the belt, the entrenching tool and its carrier were standard issue to all frontline troops, indispensable for digging trenches, defensive positions, and general fieldwork during the First World War.