Battle damaged Relic Japanese Canteen

[Greg W.]

The pictures speak for themselves on this one. A .30 cal metal jacketed bullet fits neatly in the impact hole. The canteen is also clearly scorched from flame. Kanji is scratched on the front but I don't know if anyone can read it or not.

http://hillabee.net/canteen6.JPG
http://hillabee.net/canteen4.JPG
http://hillabee.net/canteen3.JPG
http://hillabee.net/canteen2.JPG
http://hillabee.net/canteen1.JPG

[Papa Nambu]

Not clear enough for me to read, sorry.

[Greg W.]

Papa Nambu thanks for the attempt!!

[Walter Schmidt]

???Hospital
????

[GHP]

???Hospital
????

With your clue I've been looking at the scratching -- tilting my monitor back and forth, squinting, etc. I think (if I squint my eyes hard enough) I *do* see 病院 "hospital"

The first kanji looks like 兵; the second looks like 炎 "flame" -- fire atop fire -- but that cannot be right ..... can it?

兵炎病院
Hei-En Byōin

I'm really doubtful of the second kanji; but feel comfortable with 兵 and 病,

Could it mean "Soldier Burn Hospital" -- specializing in burns, like our Letterman Hospital's Burn Unit?

Awwwww .... I'm probably far off-base anyway!

--Guy

[Greg W.]

Thanks Guy for the attempt. The etching looks deep enough but I can't figure out how to make it more visible. I thought about using some type of thin paper and tried to make a rubbing [i.e. tombstones] but that didn't work either. Probably take a Japanese forensics expert one this one...

[mcmike]

If the etching is deep, as you say, try rubbing some white powder such as flour, corn starch, or baking soda across it then lightly rubbing it off. Some should stay in the etching and aid in character recognition.