Folding Shovel Cover Type II in Black Leather

German Folding Shovel Cover Type II in Black Leather – carrier for the Klappspaten

The German Folding Shovel Cover Type II was made to carry the Klappspaten, the folding shovel used with German individual field equipment during the Second World War. The Klappspaten offered a more compact alternative to the traditional straight Spaten because its blade could be folded for transport.

The cover is made from strong black leather, a material suited to protecting the metal blade and resisting friction against the belt, uniform and other equipment. The Type II designation refers to a specific carrier configuration for the folding shovel, with a shaped leather body, rear belt loops and a securing strap designed to keep the tool stable on the belt or field equipment.

From a construction standpoint, the cover had to hold the Klappspaten in its folded position, preventing excessive movement or accidental loosening. Reinforced stitching, shaped edges, durable belt loops and the securing strap were essential to support the tool’s weight and protect both the shovel and the rest of the equipment. Black leather provided strength at points exposed to pulling force, pressure, abrasion and repeated movement.

The Klappspaten was used for field digging tasks such as preparing foxholes, improving positions, cutting small drainage channels, shaping shelters and carrying out quick earthworks. Its folding design reduced bulk while preserving the basic utility of a soldier’s entrenching tool, making it practical during marches, vehicle movement and service with a full equipment load.

The Type II folding shovel cover belongs to the German belt and field equipment system designed to keep tools secure and accessible. Compared with covers for the straight Spaten, the Klappspaten carrier had a more compact outline and was shaped around the folded tool. Variants could differ in profile, belt-loop arrangement, stitching, rivets, securing straps and reinforcement details.

Collector’s note: the German Klappspaten represents the transition from the traditional straight entrenching shovel to more compact folding tools. The Type II cover reflects this change, combining a smaller carrying profile with a robust leather construction for an essential field tool.