Item Description
Original Item: Only One Kit Available. The 1909 Infantry Board recommended a new “meat can” mess kit that became standard issue in 1910. The 1910 mess kit was similar to previous models but larger, 8 ½” long by 6 ¾” wide by approximately 1 ½” deep and was made of aluminum. Like the earlier covers, which doubled as a plate, it fit into the top of the “frying pan” portion and was secured by a folding galvanized iron handle.
Early in 1918 the American Expeditionary Force reported that the 1910 pattern top plate was too shallow and recommended a deeper configuration. A new mess kit with a lid one half inch deeper, and an appropriately corresponding folding handle quickly went into production as the model 1918.
Prior to 1918, the M1910 meat can was manufactured exclusively by Rock Island Arsenal. Know manufacturers for the M1910 and M1918 meat cans during WWII included: Aluminum Company of America, Landers, Frary & Clark, The J.W. Brown Manufacturing Co.. Wheeling Stamping Co, Edmund & Jones Co and Rock Island Arsenal. This example is stamped on the folding handle with L.F. & C. / 1917 for manufacture by Landers, Frary and Clark in 1917.
The mess kit is decorated on both front and back. The top lid is decorated with Air Service / Ellington Field. The bottom of the mess kit is hand engraved with a set of Pilot Wings with 63 - AERO / SQUADRON / ELLINGTON FIELD TEXAS / William A. Goodel. We have not been able to locate any service information, making for a wonderful research opportunity. The utensils are not matched to the kit and are from various manufacturers and dates, the oldest being the Fork and appears to be dated 1904.
This is a lovely set and comes more than ready for further research and display.
- This product is not available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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