Civil War mess kit

Collections items are not for sale. A photo reproduction can be purchased.

Titles Civil War mess kit
Description Non-regulation Civil War mess kit consisting of a fork, knife, spoon, cork screw (lost), salt and pepper shaker, and cup enclosed in a mahogany carrying case. The fork, spoon, and knife have hinged hardware so that the utensil may be folded and seated in a mahogany base. The spoon and fork are made of coin silver and the knife of steel, and each has an ebony handle. The cylindrical salt and pepper shaker is made of ebony withivory or bone inlay and the cup is of coin silver. The cup seats over the mahogany base containing the utensils and this assemblage then seats horizontally in the carrying case which has an inlayed brass shield and lock plate and is locked with a skeleton key. he kit was used by Josiah Newton Davis of Milwaukee.
Quantity 1 item
Format Content Category: artifacts
Measurements 20 centimeters length
26 centimeters diameter
8 inches length
10 1/4 inches diameter
Nomenclature mess kit
Materials steel
coin silver
wood
metal
Subjects Used by: Davis, Josiah Newton
Used in: Civil War, 1861-1865
military
Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, United States
Military. 1861-1865 (Civil & Indian Wars). Equipment & Supplies
Dates Creation: Not earlier than 1809 - Not later than 1819 (This set appears to be much earlier than the American Civil War Period. French hallmark history is very complicated, but research conducted in 2013 indicates that the spoon and the fork probably originated in to Paris, France circa 1809-1819, with the silver cup also originating in Paris, possibly as early as 1789 or as late as 1838, with more certainty originating between 1809-1819. There are numerous hallmarks on these pieces and not all of them are the same, but two of the maker's marks on the cup are only known to have been used from 1809-1819, so it is fairly safe to assume it is was at least made during that period.)
Creation: Not earlier than 1789 - Not later than 1838 (These would appear to be possible earliest and latest dates of manufacture, based upon research conducted in 2013, however, the range 1809-1819 is more certain.)
Use: Not earlier than 1861 - Not later than 1865 (Civil War)
Notes This is an example of a personal effect used during the U.S. Civil War.

Holding Type 3D Objects
Identifiers 1998.361.1.A-H (Accession Number)

User Comments

  • Micheal justice on December 5, 2018 01:46:55 PM
    Please contact me to talk about a mess kit that I have that looks a lot like yours. I can’t find any info about it. But the picture you have online. Thank you.

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