Having done some research into the records, I came across this sometime ago in the Chief of Ordnance Annual Report. "Correspondence Relating to the Adoption of Intrenching Tools for Infantry" dated 1905. You can find it in it's entirety by searching Google Books.
Upon further consideration of the proper type of intrenching shovel or spade, the committee requested that a model be constructed by Major Burr, as set forth in the following letter:
War Department, Office of the Chief of Staff, Washington, April 27, 1905.
Sir: The committee of the General Staff upon the general subject of intrenching tools requests that you will have constructed for their inspection one intrenching shovel of the type of No. 1, herewith, with the following modifications: 1. Replace the iron cross handle or clutch with a wooden cross handle, as in model No. 3, herewith. 2. Construct the reenforce—the upper and lower continuations of the blade along the handle—to the point indicated on the model. Upper and lower parts of the reenforce to be of the same length, instead of having the upper one longer than the lower, as on the present model. Also, a carrier for the pick-mattock with 22-inch handle, along the lines of the one sent for our inspection belonging to the regular engineer pick-mattock. The committee requests that all models sent to you with this letter be returned with the finished articles, and would be glad to have them at the earliest practicable date.
Respectfully, P. C. March,
Captain, General Staff, Recorder.
Maj. Edward Burr,
Commandant Engineer School, Washington Barracks, D. C.
Experimental, Prototype, or early production? I could not conclusively establish the purpose of the shovel, but was able to establish it's origin. Sounds like the Type No. 1 mentioned above. The shovel is in very good condition.