Original German Pre - WWII 1942-Dated Short Handled Pioneer Wire Cutters with Extremely Scarce Preßstoff Carrier by Karl Barth of Waldbröhl

Original Item: Only One Available. The German Pioniertruppen (Pioneer troops) were equipped to accomplish many different tasks. Whether it was laying mines, building (or demolishing) bridges, removing obstacles or constructing earth re-enforcments; the Pioneer troops carried the necessary equipment. They had a variety of different tools such as long spades, saws, explosives, detonators, and wire cutters. The Drahtschere (wire cutters) were key during WWI, due to the extensive barbed wire used. Many of these wire cutters were still quite serviceable when WWII arrived, and were used then as well.

This example is certainly service-worn, and looks to be fully functional, though the metal of the cutters is heavily oxidized and pitted. There is a Waffenamt stamp on the head's hinge pivot, WaA95, and there was likely a maker’s marking next to it, but the area is heavily pitted, so we cannot see it.. The cutters measure about 15 inches in overall length.

They are housed in an extremely scarce Preßstoff carrying case. Preßstoff is an imitation leather made from pressed paper. The entire carrier is this material except for the securing strap and the belt loops, which are leather.

The underside of the flap retains ink-stamped markings, including a Waffenamt cartouche and an extremely faint maker’s mark which we believe to read dla / 42 for 1942 manufacture by Karl Barth of Waldbröhl / Rheinland, a known maker of all types of leatherware during the WWII Period.

A great example of field-used military German Pioneer military equipment, ready to research and display!

Presstoff (also Preßstoff or Pressstoff) is the German-language term for a type of ersatz or artificial leather used during the first half of the 20th century. Made of specially layered and treated paper pulp, Presstoff was durable and easily adapted to be used in place of leather, which under wartime conditions was rationed. First invented in the 19th century, it gained its widest use in Germany during the Second World War.

Presstoff use included but was not limited to binoculars cases and straps, horse tack, bayonet frogs, equipment belts, cap visors etc. In short, Presstoff could be used in almost every application normally filled by leather, excepting items like footwear that were repeatedly subjected to flex wear and/or moisture. Under these conditions Presstoff tended to delaminate and lose cohesion.