Pickaxe dimensions

[Alex van de Wetering]

Hanno,

Excellent idea to open a thread on the Pick.....somehow we do have some good info on the Canadian shovel on the forum, but info on the pick was still limited.

I would also like to learn more about the Canadian pick and helve as used on CMP's, with a vision of finding a proper one for my C8.

Attached is a picture from Clive's factory photo's CD; this also shows the smooth wooden handle on a C8A.

Also note that there are multiple pictures of tool layouts (Clives CD has 3), one for each type of CMP so it seems.....but I guess they were all done in one picture session, as most tools are the very same ones, while only some items differ.

8445 Heavy Utility 508-291041.jpg

[Preston Isaac]

Seeing all the info on pickaxes, I wonder if anyone can identify this helve variation.
It seems a standard British pattern metal ferule at the bottom, stamped No 2.
The wooden helve has "51" in red paint.
The odd bit is the metal cap at the top of the helve, it is too wide for any British pattern pickaxe head to fit over it.

Attachment 115232

Attachment 115233

Attachment 115234

[Lynn Eades]

If you can't put the pick head over it, then it has been re- purposed, as some kind of rammer? Interesting.

[B. Harris]

For Further Deliberation:
The Canadian heads (Pickaxe), the only one I have seen has been manufactured by Welland Vane Ltd.
They were located in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.

Markings are typical..... W.V. and the date.
Also is 4 1/2 which is the weight of the head.
They will fit MKII and T16 Carrier mounting head, confirmed. Unsure of MKI fitment.

I have a head for sale on the exchange threads.

Cheers,
Harris

[Lynn Eades]

And here, just to add to the menagerie.
The smaller "miners" pick Made in Sheffield, Marked 2 1/8 (lb?) on the head and "universal on the steel of the helve. No date that I could see.
Back grounded by a standard helve to show size

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Thanks all, good info coming out of the woodwork ;-)

Here is a photo of an AEC armoured demolition vehicle, showing the pioneer tools (is that the British terminology?) neatly stowed on the rear:
shovel, pick, helve (note that it doesn not have steel bands!) and crowbar.

117239335_1669001719947677_5584786975991362539_n.jpg

The vehicle in the photo is from contract T9291 covering Lorry 3ton Armd Personnel and Armd Demolition, 100 vehicles between the two types.

[Lynn Eades]

Hanno, The (later)WWII handle did not have the band at the grip end. The pick head end will have the steel sleeve, to go with the head shown. (at least, I've never seen one that didn't) The logic is that the long hole in the American one stabilizes the handle in the head, whereas the smaller and shorter hole requires the steel sleeve to stabilize the head on the handle. If the photo was bigger I think you'd be able to see the sleeve.