Japanese shovel with wolfsangel?

[UpRetro]

Hi everyone,

We have got a shovel with JAPAN and a stroked Z (wolfsangel?). These are the only markings I can find.

I can't find any other information on this shovel. Do you guys think it is real? Ww2 or later?

Thanks in advance!

[UpRetro]

Just saw that the stroked Z is a little different:

[ghp95134]

I've seen Japanese write Ƶ sometimes (like the European 7) - but that was handwriting. Probably to avoid confusion with 2 and 乙 (otsu).

Hey, I just did a search and found a US intrenching tool with that maker mark!



VINTAGE ORIGINAL US ENTRENCHING TOOL SHOVEL + COVER.
NOTE: "U.S." STAMPED ON COVER POST-WAR
MAKER: JAPAN Z
SIZE: 27 INCHES LONG
SHOVE HEAD 8X6 INCHES
eBay

My guess is the JAPAN Ƶ is Korean War vintage. The US would not be importing steel equipment from Japan in WWII; and even though Japan was an ally in WWI, we would have used US steel (besides the fact that E-tools had T-handles then). Besides, there is no "US" marked on the shovel blade or handle.

Another possibility is that these were produced post-1950 by Japan for the Japanese Self-Defense Forces.

-- Guy

[UpRetro]

Thanks Guy!
Those are possibilities indeed.
Learned a lot, but curious how it ended up in Belgium then!