Developed during the same period of American "multi-use" military experimentation that produced the ramrod and trowel bayonets, the 1880 Entrenching Tool was meant to be issued in lieu of a field knife and a shovel. Measuring 12 3/4 inches overall with a 8 1/4 inch long and 3 1/2 inch wide blade and fitted with an upturned spine and a rounded steel guard bar at the base. The ribbed grip is branded "US" on the obverse with a small drilled hole for a thong or lanyard at the rear. With a brown leather covered steel holster fitted with a brass throat, a steel hanging staple, "U.S." stamped on the front and "F.G.M." on the rear.