Historical information

Original pre-WWII commercial export field bottle manufactured in Japan during the 1920s or 1930s. During this era, Japanese aluminum manufacturers stamped their civilian-market exports with localized nature motifs such as a soaring crane or eagle over Mount Fuji or stylized mountain peaks framed inside a circular border such as the one on the base of this canteen. Many Japanese soldiers, particularly officers and infantrymen, frequently purchased their own tactical gear from commercial department stores or military supply shops before being deployed. Allied troops fighting in the Pacific routinely collected Japanese field gear as combat trophies. Item belonged to and probably souvenired by John Williams JAMES born 4/5/1922 at Benalla. V22561 served with the 8th Light Horse prior to enlisting in WW2 - VX90269 served with the 2/5 Commandos and 2/16 Battalion in New Guinea and Morotai/Borneo, prior to discharge in 1946.

Significance

An original pre-war Japanese aluminum export canteen with a fully intact base stamp, brown screw cap, and its retaining chain

Physical description

Unpainted aluminium oval shaped water canteen with brownish screw top lip with chain attached.

Inscriptions & markings

Maker's logo stamped on base