U S Pliers

[lazyassforge]

I got these pliers at the flea market the other day. The jaws are approximately 1/4" thick and there is a wire cutter notch in the jaws. It also appears that there was a wire spring to open them that is now missing. They are stamped U S  and I figure they are military origin. My question is, does anyone have an idea what time period? And are they for a specific purpose or just general issue pliers?

Thanks! Bill D.

[Branson]

Looks like a government stamp alright.  And it looks late 1800-ish.  Other than that, no idea.

[Bus]

Could be dynamite fuse pliers?

[lazyassforge]

Well, I got more curious here at work and searched for the pliers on the net. I found this website:

http://alsmilitaria.com/products-page/u-s-ww-i-earlier/field-gear-and-miscellaneous/u7053-8-wwi-u-s-army-m1910-wire-cutter-with-pouch/

Looks like they are WW1 wire cutters! The holes I thought had a spring look to be a place for a stop to keep them from opening too much?

Thanks!

BD

[Papaw]

Great detective work!