WW1 US Mess Kits and gear

[Gildwiller1918]

The US military used the Model (M) 1910 mess kit items in WW1, which were developed prior to 1910, based upon previous designed used in the Indian campaigns and the Spanish American War. Most, if not all items looked almost the same as their predecessors but with improvements. This thread will cover the basic items used. 

First 3 pictures is the M1874 (type 3) meat can which was used from the 1880's right up till the 1st World War. The utensils are the model 1874 and was the first time the military issued this to the troops as standard gear. Utensils were manufactured or contracted for by Watervliet Arsenal from 1875 to 1890 and by Rock Island Arsenal from 1875 to 1902. Other known contractors include: Steward & Montgomery; Hibbard, Spencer & Bartlett; Manhattan Supply Company; Meriden Cutlery Company; J. W. Stewart Co.; and Lamson, Goodenew & Company. 

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Below is an emergency purchase or substitute meat can first procured during the rapid call up for the Spanish American War. These were civilian models that were pressed into government service and were used in the military training camps of WW1. 

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The 1909 Infantry Equipment Board recommended a new meat can that became standard in 1910. The 1910 meat can was similar to the previous model but larger. It measured eight and one-quarter inches long by six and three-quarter inches wide by approximately one and one-half inches deep and it was made of aluminum. Like its predecessor, the cover doubled as a plate and fit into the top of the frying pan and was held in place by a folding galvanized iron handle. 

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Early in 1918 the American Expeditionary Force (A.E.F.) reported that the 1910 pattern top plate was too shallow and recommended a deeper configuration. A new meat can with a lid one-half inch deeper and an appropriately corresponding folding handle, quickly went into production as the Model 1918. Below is near mint example. 

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When the US troops arrived in France in 1917 and 1918, sometimes they needed items immediately and could not wait for them to come over the Atlantic. So they contracted items out for production, the meat can was no exception, below is a French made US Model 1918 meat can, little to none of the plating remains, however these are much rarer to find then the US made versions.

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 M-1910 utensils were similar in appearance to those of 1902. The fork and the spoon were stamped-formed form corossionless metal consisting of an alloy of brass and nickel. The blade of the M-1910 knife was shortened, but made in the same manner as previously. Rock Island Arsenal was still the exclusive manufacturer of these items. Production for the M-1910 utensils began in 1911. The new utensils continued to be marked in the same location as the previous items. 

During World War I contracts were let with commercial manufacturers to make the M-1910 pattern utensils. The fork and spoon were stamped steel with tin plating. The knife was made in the same manner as at the arsenal with a cast aluminum handle. It was not uncommon to find US troops with older model utensils as they had to equip a rapidly expanding military force, so older stocks were utilized until production could catch up. 

Below is the M1910 fork. The leather sheath was issued to prevent damage to the haversack meat can pouch. The forks in the brown paper are unissued, and came 10 to a bundle. 

Known contractors for M-1910 forks include: R. Wallace & Co. (1917 and 1918); Wallace Brothers Company (WB/W 1917 and 1918); William B. Durgin Company (WBD 1918); Charles Parker Company (C.P.C. 1918); and Rock Island Arsenal (R.I.A.). 

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Below is the M1910 Spoon, which was much longer that the M1874 and stronger, the M1874 tended to bend real easy and break. 

Known contractors for M-1910 spoons include: R. Wallace & Co.; National Enameling Company (NEC 1917-1918); William B. Durgin Company (WBD 1918); Charles Parker
Company (C.P.C. 1918); Wallace Brothers Company (WB/W 1917 and 1918); and Rock Island Arsenal (R.I.A.). 

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Here is the M1910 Knife, very close in resemblance to the M1902 versions except shorter. Below is the M1910 model with its protective sheath and the M1902 model for size comparison. 

Known contractors for M-1910 knives include: American Cutlery Company (AC 1917 and 1918); Hinkley Manufacturing Company (H.M.1918); International Silver Company (1918); Landers, Frary & Clark Company (L.F. & C. 1917 and 1918); and Rock Island Arsenal (R.I.A.).

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The M-1910 Condiment Can, the condiment can was introduced by the Equipment Board of 1909. Its purpose was to hold coffee, sugar, and salt. The body of the can was five inches long and two and one-half inches on each side. It was constructed of tinned iron, with the main body separated into two compartments by a divider in the middle. Each compartment had a screw-on cap, one at each end of the can. One of the caps has a compartment inside that is about one-half inch deep, with a tightly fitted pry-off lid. Most condiment cans are not marked, however, at least one very early can, possibly from the field trials of 1910, has been observed marked by the American Can Company. 

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In 1910 the bacon can was introduced, and its purpose was to augment the meat can in holding uncooked or grease rations in the field, allowing the meat can to be freed-up for cooking and eating. An improved version of the bacon can was introduced in 1916 and is marked on the lid Model of 1916. The can was made of stamped tinned iron with rounded corners and no seams. The top lid was held in place by friction and did not have a hinge. Each corner of the 1910 bacon can had a seam that was soldered shut; however, rough usage in the field could cause the seams to split causing leakage. The 1916 bacon can, made without seams resolved this issue. The M-1916 bacon can had the same dimensions as the M-1910, and in both cases, the condiment can could be stored inside the bacon can when they were not being used. With the change in field rations during World War I, the use of the bacon can was discontinued. 

Below are 3 examples of the M1916 bacon can, each lid is a different variation. Some of these cans have some plating left, however most are missing a good portion of plating, while mint examples are rare. 

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Here is a mint example of the M1916 Bacon Can, I got this from a vendor that had an original crate that was still packed full of these cans. 

 

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Here are some field ration cans that were used by the US troops in WW1 These are tin cans that had generic lids that had a list of items that could be stamped to indicate what was inside. So far I have only seen two sizes, the larger cans seem to be the most common, while the smaller can is much harder to find. Any rations from WW1 are very rare and hard to find as most were used up during the war or were given to refugees and survivors afterwards, and some were even used in the early stages of WW2. 

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Below is a not often encountered item, the haversack ration. This was a condiment package that had salt, pepper, sugar, and coffee. It was sealed in wax paper then dipped in paraffin to provide a good seal until opened. The ration below is a reproduction as originals are extremely rare and do not come up for sale often. I have only seen one for sale in the last 10 years. 

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Below is the WW1 US Hardbread ration, which would be close to unsalted cracker today. Originally these came wrapped in paper products, but the dampness of the trench warfare and contamination from gas led to the crackers being placed in tin cans that were soldered shut. There are several variants of these cans in regards to the markings. Some are marked on both ends while other only one one. But they typically have the same writing which includes "Hard Bread, 8 oz. U.S.Q.M.C (United States Quarter Master Corps)". The other marking read "Cut this end out" to indicate where the user should open the hard bread tin. Typically 2-4 of these were carried by each soldier in their haversacks, however fresh baked bread was also considered part of their daily rations, however most front line troops did not always get food delivered to them. So these canned items became very important. 

I currently have 6 unopened hard bread rations in my collection so far. As with other WW1 era rations they are rare to come by. Be aware that there are very good reproductions of these, which I will list shortly for comparison.

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Here are the reproductions, the metal tins come with the one end unsoldered so you can fill as you like hen reseal or leave unsealed to show what the contents were like. The paper based ones were made by the National Biscuit Company later called Nabisco. They are wrapped around wood core for rigidity. 

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Next to the rations, the crates they came in are just as rare, as most were broken down for duckboards in the trenches or for fires or given away after the war to those less fortunate. Some examples are still out there but they are hard to come by. Below is an example of one used by the US forces in WW1. This is a crate for corned beef, which was a staple among the troops back then, with various nicknames as well. The crate is dated 1919, which means it arrived shortly after the war ended for the occupation phase. One the side panel it has the AEF and triangle symbol, which stood for American Expeditionary Force, on the end panel is reads: 36 cans, 1lb. 8oz net, Beef corned, The Ludahy Packing Co., Kansas City, Kans., U.S. Qr Mr Corps, Feb. 13, 1919. The crate has obviously been repurposed after the war as evident by the black paint on the sides, but still a rare find. 

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Here is my other example, slightly larger crate, this one for Roast Beef. The date is hard to read but most likely 1919 as well. 

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The US forces used emergency rations as well, which became known as the "Iron Ration". This ration consisted of three cakes of 3 ounces each, consisting of a mixture of beef powder and cooked wheat pressed solid. Supplemented with three 1 ounce cakes of sweet chocolate, this ration was packed in an oval-shaped can weighing approximately 1 pound, it was obviously highly unpopular and discontinued in 1919 although it had been in service since after the turn of the century. These rations were to be opened only when ordered to do so by a officer. 

Below is an example I found on the internet, I don't have one of these yet as they are very expensive and do not come up for sale often. 

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Here are some Pre-WW1 Us Army emergency rations from the internet. I have seen the one of the left for sale, empty and missing the lid go for over $1000. Quality reproductions are now in circulation for these types. 

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Just came across a vendor that is selling reproduction M1910 mess kit knives. These look very well made, one side has the "US" stamp, and the other has a date of 1917, however there is no maker mark on the fake and the date is located in the middle of the knife, originals usually had the stamps on the end of the knife handle. Below is an example of the current reproduction. The originals are still out there, however if you are looking for a certain maker or year, they can be elusive. 

[Fritz]

No! what next?

[Gildwiller1918]

I know what you mean, it's almost to a point as to what has not been copied or faked.