Fieldwork and fortification tools
Infantry were issued entrenching tools as part of the companys standard equipment and distributed amongst the soldats, and officers. Grenadier companys were issued extra tools in recognition of their elite status but for the most part the items complied with the same dimensions found in Ordonnance du Roi Portant Reglement sur le Service de l'Infanterie en Campangne Du 17 Fevrier 1753 (Kings Ordonnance for the infantry February 1753). Tools were usually carried by a sling 1.1" - 2" wide depending on the source you reference which was attached to the natural leather scabbard that protected the wearer and their uniform from the edge and dirt.
The following information is from From Jean Vials site Nec Pluribus Impar and is validated by the sources listed below: While M. Vials site concernes the Calvary or Dragoon regiments in practive the issue items varied little from the regular Troop de Terre issues.
- the shovel measures 7 inches 4 lines (19,8 cm) top on 6 inches 9 lines (18,2 cm) broad by the top and 5 inches 6 lines (14,8 cm) with the edge, the casing makes 3 inches 6 lines (9,4 cm), the handle is 1 foot 12 inches length (65 cm).
- the pickaxe 9 inches 6 lines (25,7 cm) of length, 2 inches 6 lines (6,7 cm) broad on the side of the edge and the handle 2 feet 3 inches 4 lines (74 cm).
- the bill hook 8 inches 7 lines (23,2 cm) of length, 3 inches (8,çm) broad by the end and 2 inches 2 lines (5,8 cm) on the side of the handle which will have 4 inches 9 lines (12,8 cm).
- the head of the axe will have 2 inches (5,4 cm) out of turn, the distance from the head to projecting will be 7 inches 2 lines (19,4 cm), and the width of the edge of 3 inches 10 lines (10,4 cm), the handle (not included/understood iron) will have 1 foot 10 inches (59,6 cm).
(These tools are carried in turn by the soldier by means of not blackened cases of skin of cow, closing each one with two loops and attaches with a broad belt of 2 inches.)
Illustration by Michel Pétard
For additional information and images of standard equipage consult the following source publications:M. de la Porterie, Institutions militaires, Paris, 1754
Institutions Militaires pour la Cavalerie et les Dragons
Le triomphe de la methode
Ordonnance du Roi Portant Reglement sur le Service de l'Infanterie en Campangne Du 17 Fevrier 1753
M. Francois Gousse, via correspondence with M. Daniel Tremblay