Fence Cutters or what?

oldbattleaxe · Jan 15, 2011

I had purchased a World War Two parachute bag and these cutters were inside. There are no names, numbers or any other marks. You can tell they have been casted at the grips. They will cut barbed wire and some stronger wire. Does anyone know a WW2 paratrooper that could put some light on these cutters. I have taken these to many authorities on this topic but have no definate opinions. Military fence cutters and pruners are guesses. Maybe they are foreign? They are very light and fit well into the hand. Maybe a protoype for the military? This is where you come in. Bill

oldbattleaxe · Jan 19, 2011

There cannot be only one of these made. You would think that there is another that I can identify it with. Like I had mentioned above. I have spent lots of hours trying to get these identified. Since thet were in a parachute bag, that was the direction of my search. Medical had never come to mind. I will go in that direction next. Thanks for all of the help.

Bigcypresshunter · Jan 20, 2011

Sorry Chug I see you already suggested medical use. I should read every post. :-[

How wide do they open?

Maybe you stated but is that aluminum or stainless? Does a magnet stick to the handle?

oldbattleaxe · Jan 20, 2011

It is aluminum.

Bigcypresshunter · Jan 20, 2011

I would think medical use would require stainless surgical steel.

Lightweight, spring loaded, adjustable, replaceable steel cutters... :icon_scratch:

...they may just be some specialty pruning shears for grapes vines or something. :dontknow:

tinto3 · Jan 28, 2011

Chug and Red said:
can you give the size of the cutter For some reason the way it looks It might be a medical Instrument for cutting bone!!!! looks like it is designed to put allot of cutting force when squeezing the handle and it adjustable!!! Chug

..

...i remember reading a book,about ww11,and some soldiers used to collect gold teeth...watches...rings...from the fallen enemy...etc...and when they couldnt remove the rings from the fingers easily...... he used to clip the fingers off ...... with a branch pruner/cutter he used to carry....which he said was ideal for the job!!!....not a very nice thought i know......and without doubt these practises did occur. $:-\$

oldbattleaxe · Aug 9, 2013

I am still trying to find another one of these. I would like to know what they were made for? The metal may not be aluminum? A little latch locks and unlocks them. As I said before they were in a WW2 parachute bag. Anyone else have any opinions? Thanks

pippinwhitepaws · Aug 9, 2013

just a thought.. I don't believe this tool was for field use...
perhaps an aircraft mechanic or builder tool...too many moving parts for field issue...

pippinwhitepaws · Aug 9, 2013

oldbattleaxe said:
There cannot be only one of these made. You would think that there is another that I can identify it with. Like I had mentioned above. I have spent lots of hours trying to get these identified. Since thet were in a parachute bag, that was the direction of my search. Medical had never come to mind. I will go in that direction next. Thanks for all of the help.

the wire cutter could be a theater modification...similar to the theater knife craze...some mechanic with lots of time modifies a set of wire cutters for his personal use...

just a thought...