Civil War mess kit

Titles: Civil War mess kit (Supplied title)

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.

Dates

• 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.) (Creation)
• Not earlier than 1861 - Not later than 1865 (Civil War) (Use)

Creation

• used by: Davis, Josiah Newton

Identifiers

• Accession Number: 1998.361.1.A-H

Notes

• This is an example of a personal effect used during the U.S. Civil War.

Holding Type: 3D Objects

Quantity: 1 item

Format

• Content Category: artifacts

Measurements

• 20 centimeters length
• 26 centimeters diameter
• 8 inches length
• 10 1/4 inches diameter

Subjects

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