Long handled pioneer wire cutters with pouch – G. Genschow, Berlin. 1937
The German Pioniertruppen or Pioneer troops where equipped to accomplish many different tasks. Where it laying mines, building (or demolishing) bridges, removing obstacles or constructing earth re-inforcments; the Pioneer troops carried all sorts of necessary equipment. They had a variety of different tools such as long spades, saws, explosives, detonators, and wire cutters.
The Drahtschere or wire cutters came in two variants. A short handled type and a long handled type. The short one was merely designed for the Gruppenführer or NCO and the long one was designed for Pioneer use. Both came with a specialized carrying case. The short wire cutters came in a case made out of leather or Presstoff, and the long handled wire cutters came in a canvas pouch with leather loops and a leather or Presstoff reinforcement at the bottom. The handles of both the short and long wire cutters are insulated with pressed paper with bakelite end caps.
Type of tool: Drahtschere – long handled wire cutters
Markings: G. Genschow, Berlin. 1937, WaA 387
Maker: G. Genschow, Berlin.
Year: 1937
Materials: Canvas, leather and Presstoff for the bottom re-inforcement.
Notes: A nice long handled wire cutter with it’s original early pouch. The pouch is nicely maker, location and date marked G. Genschow, Berlin. 1937 and marked with the prewar Waffenamt 387. The wire cutters are in great condition and retain most of their original finish. The blades are Waffenamt marked and still in good condition; they still work great on steel wire. The handles still retain most of their pressed paper handles and bakelite end knobs.
