WW2 Military Issue Barbed Wire buy Cutters by E.T.F. Tools c1942. 2nd WW U.S/Canadian Army Tools/Equipment. WW2 Militaria/Costume/Reenactments

buy This listing is for a very rare pair of Canadian WW2 period Military Issue Barbed Wire Cutters dated 1942.

They were made by E.T.F. Ltd, the Engineering Tools & Forging Company of St. Catherine's, Ontario, Canada.
Production was under licence from the patent holder, the Chillington Ironworks Company of Wolverhampton, England for the duration of WW2 to supply Canadian & U.S. troops.

Standard kit issued to almost every soldier in both WW1 & WW2, they are cantilever folders made from hardened tool steel. They were able to cut wire & mild steel up to about 5-6mm thick.

Extremely powerful with a huge riveted joint & sloping cutters, the design made them very efficient & far superior to the German/Axis fixed handle style of cutter.
They became a desirable acquisition & many were looted from the bodies of fallen Allied soldiers.

This set came from a private family collection & were used in both the invasion of Italy in 1943 & the Normandy landings in 1944.

Cast marked E.T.F. Ltd with a 1942 date stamp. About 33cm or 13” long open & 24cm or 9.5” folded. 10mm maximum jaw width.

Heavy 935g weight, they have the solid cast handles rather than the later open stamped steel steel version.

They are in superb condition with no notable faults or damage to the cutting jaws & the rivets are tight & operate smoothly. Some slight surface wear & small dents as shown.

Lightly oiled to avoid corrosion. Please have a good look at all the photos.

A wonderful antique tool from a terrible period in History. Museum quality but still perfectly usable.

(Shipping is Tracked/Insured only. Please refer to the listed rates).