In the local museum, Tekamah, Nebraska, in the military section, is a big, old and very bulky pair of wire cutters. A bit larger than normal, a boxy head, with jaws that are more like shears. Wood sheathed handles. It was donated by a local banker, in the 1960s. He had them in his possession since 1918. Had them in his duffel on the voyage back from France. His name was Robert, quite a gentleman, once faced down armed bank robber. He had spent time in the trenches in France, and had a special job. His duty was to crawl into No-Mans-Land at night, and quietly snip the barbed wire/concertina wire, that formed a barricade in front of the trenches. Then spread the wire apart to make paths for the morning assault. Then if he could, crawl across no mans land under cover of darkness, and snip the wire on the German side. Did this for six months. Unarmed, laying on his back in the mud, at night, with enemy all around. I believe I would have gotten attached to those cutters as well. If people want, will try to get a picture the next time I visit.
