WTB Period D Handle Shovel

[Parault]

I am in need (I think so anyway) of a shovel. I have been in contact with one sutler who by the way had two. One had a crack in the handle, and the other one was described to me as a sharpshooter type.

I am looking for a typical period style shovel with a typical blade on it. If anyone has an idea or knows where to purchase one let me know.

Thank You

[Picket Post]

to add on to this gentleman's request, does anyone know of anyone who reproduces 19th century tools? It would be great to find someone making period shovels, picks, saws, etc.

[Micah Trent]

I am in need (I think so anyway) of a shovel. I have been in contact with one sutler who by the way had two. One had a crack in the handle, and the other one was described to me as a sharpshooter type.

I am looking for a typical period style shovel with a typical blade on it. If anyone has an idea or knows where to purchase one let me know.

Thank You

I have a few originals and have found them at antique shops and peddlar's malls. They usually go for $6-$20 bucks. To buy one reproduced is going to cost you a bit more. I would go shopping at your local shops before looking into getting a repro. Good luck in your search.

[jerryeberg]

Would anyone get angry at us if we used antique shovels to dig firepits?

[Micah Trent]

I use them and have seen them used at events. I have had individuals call me stupid for doing it, others like it. It's all up to you. It is more authentic...;)

[hoosiersojer]

Okay..,so where would one find a repro?

[Jim Mayo]

Okay..,so where would one find a repro?
Short answer: Nobody makes a repro. It's an original or nothing unless you can make your own. There are some new shovels sold by some of the chain stores which resemble an original D handle but IMO are not even close. Junky antique stores in farm country are your best bet for finding one. I have seen them from ten dollars up to around fifty, depending on condition and the owners fondness for them.

I have a couple of originals pictured on this page along with documantation as to style usage if you want to look.

http://www.angelfire.com/ma4/j_mayo/tools/tools.html

[Micah Trent]

Okay..,so where would one find a repro?

I could be mistaken, but I do believe I have seen some sold by one of the approved vendors over on the AC.

[bill watson]

There's a gazillion d-handle spade original still around. They are heavy and last forever and aren't much fun to use anyway. All reasons why they are around still. And they were probably reproduced for a long time after the war, same model.

If you diligently hit antique malls and big outdoor yard sales and estate sales, you will eventually find one with sound wood and a full blade. It will be dull. This will sound stupid only if you've not had to use one of these: It needs to be sharpened, with a file or stone, or you'll be bouncing the thing off the ground trying to dig.

They really are a pain. Short, awkward, have to work bent over with it, and the blade is small and flat so the dirt is falling off as soon as you manage to get it loose. Like trying to eat stew with a butter knife. Not the most efficient tool ever designed. But they're small enough to carry around easily and look good in a photograph. :-)

[hoosiersojer]

Jim,


Thanks for the link.I've seen this site before and had it bookmarked once,but somewhere along the line had lost it.Good to have it back...



:D

[Jim Mayo]

It will be dull. This will sound stupid only if you've not had to use one of these: It needs to be sharpened, with a file or stone, or you'll be bouncing the thing off the ground trying to dig.

They really are a pain. Short, awkward, have to work bent over with it, and the blade is small and flat so the dirt is falling off as soon as you manage to get it loose. Like trying to eat stew with a butter knife. Not the most efficient tool ever designed. But they're small enough to carry around easily and look good in a photograph. :-)

I agree. I wouldn't want to do much digging with a spade blade. Perhaps only a fire pit or rifle pit.

I believe that most of the organized entrenchment digging was done by breaking loose the dirt with a pick and then moving it using long or short handled broad or standard blade shovels. The short D-handle broad blade shovel would be ideal for this. Most of the pictures you see have these broad blade shovels shown. However, I have dug two of the spade blades from sites so I know they were also being used. There are also examples of slings with covers for these shovels indicating they were carried by the soldiers (probably pioneers). The broad blade shovels could not be carried easily and were delegated to the wagons. These D-handle broad blade shovels were once used as coal shovels and can also be found in antique shops. They would make a good prop however, the dirt has to be loose to use them.

[Pvt_Jack_Bauer]

Sent PM about shovels

[RedkepiWA]

IMA used to carry WWII era Swiss shovels that looked real old timey with a T handle. Great Swiss quality and I think around 20 bucks....they may still have them.

Pat Hillock
Washington Artillery of N.O. and Yuma AZ.!

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

IMA used to carry WWII era Swiss shovels that looked real old timey with a T handle. Great Swiss quality and I think around 20 bucks....they may still have them.

Pat Hillock
Washington Artillery of N.O. and Yuma AZ.!


Why not just carry a Sears Craftsment shovel then?

The poster is looking for a D-handled shovel, because presumably he wants to be more authentic!

Paul

[Micah Trent]

Why not just carry a Sears Craftsment shovel then?

The poster is looking for a D-handled shovel, because presumably he wants to be more authentic!

Paul

And the best part about craftsamsn tools...if they brake, you can take'em back and get it replaced...;)

I have seen couple of others use T handle shovels and though they make look old timey...they are period incorrect and it is just looks bad!

[RedkepiWA]

Why not just carry a Sears Craftsment shovel then?

The poster is looking for a D-handled shovel, because presumably he wants to be more authentic!

Paul
Well pardon me!!:shock: I am sure this site is a better place with you stepping on those of us who mis-speak. And btw...I was not talking to you.

Thank you kindly

Pat Hillock

[Parault]

I have found a person that has two shovels. I am in the process of the transaction. Thank You for your responses

[yerbyray]

Thanks to this thread on shovels and knowing what the going rate was for one, I now have a very correct shovel. I guess that puts me in the C/P/H earth moving catagory.

I really lucked out, I visited an antique store in Clover, SC on the way to visit at Brattonsville and they had a correct, solid "D" handle shovel but the blade was covered in cement.

I haggled the price down from 35 to fifteen; and with five bucks of muraitic acid I now have a very correct civil war appliance.

[reddcorp]

I didn't see any mention, but check e-bay. From time to time these shovels show up there. A couple of years ago I bought two in pretty good shape and use them at events from time to time. got both for $25 plus shipping.

A. Redd

[bill watson]

rudeness

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Quote:
Originally Posted by Stonewall_Greyfox
Why not just carry a Sears Craftsment shovel then?

The poster is looking for a D-handled shovel, because presumably he wants to be more authentic!

Paul

Well pardon me!! I am sure this site is a better place with you stepping on those of us who mis-speak. And btw...I was not talking to you.

Thank you kindly

Pat Hillock"


Pat,
Kind of quick to reach into the big blue bottle of umbrage? He's just explaining that someone trying to do research to find out what's right is in all likelihood not interested in something "less right" unless there's nothing else available. I don't think there was any rudeness intended.

[10TN]

FYI-

"I have seen couple of others use T handle shovels and though they make look old timey...they are period incorrect and it is just looks bad![/QUOTE]

Having once researched the matter rather extensivley, I must disagree- both straight handled and T-handled shovel/spades were in period use. I have seen a period newspaper illustration of a New York engineer regiment in a street parade(unfortunatly I cannot now relocate the illustration) with both D and T handle shovels being carried, along with axes, picks, and one man in each file with a musket.