WW2 Japanese Army E-tool Shovel with Canvas Cover Unissued

This is one of the most difficult pieces of Japanese WW2 field equipment to find. Very few e-tools were brought back. This exceptional one has the early cover with leather loops, is marked inside and shows no field wear. These were carried disassembled, strapped to the field pack. The wooden handle was designed to be removable and stored in the carrier through one of the loops as shown. The handle and blade show no wear. This is a pre 1941 example as it has a knob on the end of the handle, leather features on a heavy canvas carrier. You can see these early features in photos taken before 1941. Later version had all canvas and web tie covers and a different profile on the handle.