Wire Cutter

Name/Title

Wire Cutter

Entry/Object ID

2002.33.01

Description

British army standard heavy-duty all-metal 3 jaw wire cutters, 1915 pattern, of the type issued to the troops in the trenches. Manufactured using hardened steel these cutters physically cut the barbed wire obstacles to allow soldiers a better chance in crossing “no man’s land” and breach the enemy defences.

Use

Wiring parties, (or wiring sappers, cutters), were used during World War I on the Western Front as an offensive countermeasure against the enemy’s barbed wire obstacles. Though hazardous and stressful duty, work was done at night to repair, improve, and rebuild their own wire defences, while also sabotaging and cutting the enemy's defence system. In battles all across the Western Front, cutting parties were successful in creating breaches in the wire lines.

Made/Created

Date made

1914 - 1918

Notes

Date: 1914 - 1918

Lexicon

Legacy Lexicon

Object Name

Construction T&E

Class

Tools & Equipment for Science & Technology